Electrical body care brush

ABSTRACT

An attachment brush part for an electrical body care brush, in particular an electrical toothbrush, includes brush head with an in particular circular bristle carrier, on which a bristle field with a plurality of bristle bundles each with a plurality of care bristles is arranged.

The invention relates to the field of electrical care and cleaningbrushes, such as electrical body care brushes, and in particular toelectrical toothbrushes.

The invention concerns an in particular multi-part attachment brush partfor an electrical body care brush, in particular for an electricaltoothbrush, as well as an electrical body care brush, in particular anelectrical toothbrush, with an in particular multi-part attachment brushpart and a hand part.

Electrical care and cleaning brushes are characterised in that the brushhead is brought into movement via an electromotoric drive. Concerningelectrical toothbrushes, several types of electrical tooth cleaningbrushes are available on the market today, amongst other things theoscillating rotation toothbrushes and sonic toothbrushes. Rotationtoothbrushes are characterised in that the brush head rotates in anoscillating manner about a rotation axis essentially perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the electrical body care brush. In contrast, inthe case of sonic toothbrushes, the brush head is made to oscillate as arule with a higher frequency and the rotation axis is herein preferablyparallel to the cleaning surface or parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe electrical body care brush.

Concerning rotation toothbrushes or sonic toothbrushes, apart from thedescribed movements, additional or superimposed movements paralleland/or perpendicular to the rotation axis are also possible.

Electrical care and cleaning brushes which are designed for a longerservice life and as a rule also have a greater functionality, as a rulecomprise a hand part as well as a separately designed attachment brushpart which can be reversibly stuck onto the hand part and removed again.

As a rule, the hand part comprises the electromotoric drive for drivingthe brush head. Furthermore, the hand part as a rule additionallycomprises a gear for converting the rotation movement of theelectromotoric drive into an oscillating rotation movement of thecontrol pin. Furthermore, the hand part comprises an energy store suchas a battery or primary cell, for the supply of the electromotoric drivewith electricity.

Furthermore, as a rule, an on/off-switch as well as a control unitbelong to the hand part. The electrical functions of the device can beset or controlled by the control unit.

The separate design of the attachment brush part is due to the fact thatthe attachment brush parts needs to be exchanged from time to time, e.g.because the bristles have become worn or the prior attachment brush partshould no longer be used for hygienic reasons.

In this manner, the relatively durable hand part can be used far beyondthe average life expectancy of an attachment brush part. Furthermore,the exchangeability of the attachment brush parts also permits the useof a single hand part by several users, for example by several familymembers.

The present invention relates to electrical care and cleaning brushes,concerning which the brush head rotates in an oscillating manner about arotation axis. With regard to electrical toothbrushes, the presentinvention concerns itself with a rotation toothbrush.

The hand part and the attachment brush part of such care and cleaningbrushes each comprise coupling means for the mutual coupling of theattachment brush part and hand part, e.g. for sticking the attachmentbrush part onto the hand part.

The coupling means comprise a sleeve-like coupling section which has anub receiver and which is arranged on the attachment brush part in theend section which is at the hand part side (hand-part-side end section).A control pin which projects out of the coupling nub at the end side andserves for transmitting mechanical drive energy into the attachmentbrush part is led through the coupling nub. Furthermore, the couplingnub serves for fixing certain parts of the attachment brush head withrespect to the hand part.

The control pin is brought into an oscillating rotation via mechanicalmeans, such as a gear, by way of the electromotoric drive in the handpart. This oscillating rotation is converted in the attachment brushpart, again via mechanical means, into an oscillating rotation movementof the brush head.

It is important for the hand part and the attachment brush part to beconnected to one another in an optimally fitting via the coupling means,for an optimal, i.e. as loss-free and as low-noise as possibletransmission of the mechanical movement from the control pin onto theattachment brush part. This means that the coupling means need to bedesigned such that the connection of the attachment brush part and thehand part in the coupled state is secured axially as well as withrespect to a twisting.

The published document U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,150 B2 describes anattachment brush part of an electrical toothbrush. This comprises abrush head with cleaning bristles as well as a connection section forsticking on a hand part. Furthermore, the attachment brush partcomprises a tubular neck section for receiving a control pin. The brushhead is rotatably mounted at the front end of the attachment brush part.The control pin is arranged in the tubular neck section between thebrush head and the connection section.

Conventional electrical care and cleaning brushes have the disadvantagethat the attachment brush part is composed of many individual parts.Furthermore, the mechanically loaded parts of conventional attachmentbrush parts are subjected to an increased wear.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to suggest amulti-part attachment brush part for an electrical care and cleaningbrush, in particular for an electrical body care brush, such aselectrical toothbrush, which consists of as few as possible individualparts and can be simply assembled.

Furthermore, the attachment brush part, interacting with the hand partand the drive of the electrical care and cleaning brush which iscontained therein, should be characterised by a low wearing or by way ofa reduced wear between the mechanically moved parts, and accordingly byits durability and a high reliability for the user.

Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to suggest anelectrical care and cleaning brush, in particular an electrical bodycare brush, such as electrical toothbrush, with a multi-part attachmentbrush part, which is inexpensive to manufacture and is characterised bya low energy consumption as well as a pleasant noise volume on use.

A further object of the present invention is the implementation ofparticular bristle fields arranged on the attachment brush part, saidbristle fields having an improved cleaning effect.

The invention is achieved by the independent claims 1, 14 and 15.

The dependent claims as well as the description and the figures compriseparticular embodiments and further developments of the invention.

The multi-part attachment brush part comprises:

-   -   an attachment brush housing;    -   a drive rod for driving the bristle carrier, with an end section        which is on the brush head side (brush-head-side end section)        and on which a first toothing is arranged, and with an end        section which is on the hand part side (hand-part-side end        section);    -   a brush head with a bristle carrier and bristles which are        arranged on this, wherein the bristle carrier comprises a second        toothing; as well as    -   a securing element for the rotatable mounting of the        hand-part-side end section of the drive rod.

Furthermore, the multi-part attachment brush part in particularcomprises a bearing pin for positioning, securing and for theoscillatorily rotatable mounting of the brush head on the attachmentbrush housing.

The brush head can be of one part and in particular of several parts.

The first and the second toothing form a drive toothing for driving thebristle carrier and the brush head by way of the drive rod. This meansthat the oscillating rotation movement of the drive rod about ageometric control rotation axis is transmitted into an oscillatingrotation movement of the brush head about a geometric carrier rotationaxis via the drive toothing. The bristle field is also actively moved byway of the oscillating rotation movement of the brush head.

The geometric control rotation axis is hereinafter simply merely called“control rotation axis”. The geometric carrier rotation axis ishereinafter simply called “carrier rotation axis”.

The terms “front side”, “rear side” and “laterally” are used within theframework of this description. The “front side” indicates that side ofthe care or cleaning brush, on which the bristle field is arranged. Thismeans that the “front side” corresponds to the care or cleaning side.The “rear side” indicates the side of the care or cleaning brush whichis opposite to the “front side” and accordingly opposite to the bristlefield.

“Laterally” also indicates that region of the care or cleaning brushwhich with a view perpendicularly to the front side of the toothbrush isarranged to the left or right of a reference point.

What is meant by the direction detail “above” or “at the top” is adirection along the control rotation axis towards the housing head.

What is meant by the direction detail “at the bottom” or “below” is adirection along the control rotation axis towards the hand part.

The hand part comprises a grip body for holding the electrical care andcleaning brush. The grip body comprises a housing, in which anelectromotoric drive as a rule with a gear for driving a control pin isarranged.

The gear can be constructed for example such that a cog which isattached to the drive axle rotates continuously in one direction. Thecog meshes into the teeth on a crown wheel, and this is continuouslyrotated in one direction. The rotation axes of the drive axle of themotor or of the respective cog and that of the crown wheel areperpendicular to one another. A cam which is attached eccentrically tothe rotation axis of the crown wheel is attached to the crown wheel. Acatcher in the form of a U which encompasses the cam and is connected toa control pin takes up the movement of the cam and converts the rotationmovement of the cam into an oscillating to and fro movement. Herewith,one succeeds in the control pin executing a corresponding movement. Theaxis of the cam pin is again essentially parallel to the drive axle ofthe motor.

The gear can basically also be constructed differently. However, thegear is essentially constructed such that this generates an oscillatingrotation movement of the control pin from a continuous rotation movementof the motor.

Furthermore, an energy store for supplying the electromotoric drive withelectricity is arranged in the housing. The energy store can be abattery, such as e.g. a NiMh battery or Li-Ion battery. The battery canbe charged via a cable-free connection (inductively) or via a cableconnection.

Alternately to an accumulator, cells (primary cells) which areexchangeable can also be used.

The electromotoric drive is controlled via a switch and/or an electroniccontrol in the hand part.

In particular, the construction manner of the electromotoric drive canalso be an oscillating armature drive. This accomplishes a rapidoscillating rotation movement with a relative small angle. A gear is notnecessary in this case since the oscillating armature drive alreadyprovides the control pin with an oscillating rotation movement.

The electromotoric drive can have a speed of 3,000-20,000 r.p.m(revolutions per minute), in particular 5,000-16,000 r.p.m and veryparticularly 6,000-13,000 r.p.m.

Likewise arranged in the housing is a mechanical gear for transmittingthe torque from the electromotoric drive onto the control pin. Herein,the gear brings the control pin into an oscillating rotation movementabout a certain rotation angle.

The gear can be designed such that the rotation angle of the control pinis limited to 30° to 100°, in particular 50° to 70°. The angle unit “°”in this description always relates to the angle degree.

Furthermore, the speed is also reduced from the electromotoric driveonto the control pin way of the gear, so that the control pin oscillatesat a smaller frequency than would be the case without a gearing of thespeed of the drive motor.

A coupling nub for connecting the hand part to the attachment brush partis arranged on the attachment-brush-side end of the grip body.

One can also envisage the control pin executing a linear movement whichis superimposed on the oscillating rotation movement and which islikewise transmitted onto the brush head. Apart from the oscillatingmovement, the linear movement can also activate a further movement inthe brush head. For example, an additional movement of the brush head tothe front and/or to the top can be activated.

In the present embodiment, a linear movement of the brush head upwards,or parallel to the rotation axis is realised by way of the design of thefirst and second toothing and the oscillating drive, said movementinteracting with a zero position or neutral position of the drive rod.The zero position or neutral position of the drive rod is present ifthis could rotate in both directions of the possible oscillation angleby essentially the same angle.

The control pin executes an essentially oscillating movement. The linearmovement can be produced by way of a suitable design of the attachmentbrush. For example, a suitable ramp or movement guide can be provided inthe mounting of the brush head. A further possibility for activating thedesired linear movement lies in a correspondingly designed drivetoothing between the bristle carrier and the drive rod.

In particular, the maximal linear travel or the maximal height of thecarrier body with respect to the attachment brush housing is achieved inthe zero position or neutral position of the drive rod.

The height difference can be up to 0.5 mm, in particular up to 0.05 mm.The frequency of the linear movement corresponds in particular to thefrequency of the oscillating brush head or of the drive. Of course, ahigher frequency of the linear movement than the frequency of theoscillating brush head can also be achieved by way of a suitable designof the means which effect the linear movement. In the case, inparticular a 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 or 4-fold frequency of the linearmovement is realised.

As a rule, the control pin consists of metal. As a rule, it has acircular basic cross section. The control pin merges from the circularbasic cross section into a semicircular cross section in itsbrush-head-side end section, i.e. in the drive section. I.e., thecontrol pin forms a semicircular recess in the mentioned end section,with a plane front side and a rear side which is semicircular-arc-shapedin cross section.

The control pin is led outwards through the coupling nub out of the gripbody housing. The control pin protrudes with a drive section out of thecoupling nub in the longitudinal direction of the care or cleaning brushat the attachment-brush-side end of the hand part. This means that thecontrol pin runs in the longitudinal direction of the care and cleaningbrush.

The control pin lies on the control rotation axis, about which thecontrol pin rotates in an oscillating manner.

The control pin can comprise a latching notch in the drive section, inparticular on the arched peripheral surface of a semicircular crosssection. The latching notch serves for the latching-in or snapping-in ofa latching element on the attachment brush part on bringing together thehand part and the attachment brush part. An additional axial securing isto be created with the attachment brush part in this manner. Thelatching-in of the latching element can also provide an acoustic orhaptic feedback or signal for securing the attachment brush part.

A haptic signal can basically be a vibration, a knock, a jerk or ashaking.

The control pin can have a diameter of 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm, in particularfrom 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

The length of the attachment brush part can be 50 mm to 90 mm, inparticular 60 mm to 80 mm. The width of the attachment brush part can be10 mm to 18 mm, in particular 12 mm to 16 mm. The height of theattachment brush part (without bristles) can be 8 mm to 20 mm, inparticular 12 mm to 16 mm.

The attachment brush housing of the attachment brush part forms acarrier structure for receiving various components, such as the brushhead or drive rod. The attachment brush housing also serves for creatingconnections to other components or for mounting other components. Inparticular, the attachment brush housing is designed in a single-partmanner, e.g. by way of injection moulding.

The length of the attachment brush housing can be 50 mm to 90 mm, inparticular 60 mm to 80 mm.

The greatest width of the attachment brush housing can be 8 mm to 20 mm,in particular 10 mm to 15 mm. The width at the brush-head-side end inparticular is smaller than in the hand-part-side end.

The greatest height of the attachment brush housing can be 8 mm to 18mm, in particular 12 mm to 14 mm. The height at the brush-head-side endin particular is smaller than in the hand-part-side end.

The attachment brush housing is manufactured from plastic. Theattachment brush housing comprises at least one hard component orconsists of this. The attachment brush housing in particular consists ofpolybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or comprises this.

Apart from the mentioned plastic, the attachment brush housing can alsocomprise one or more additives or additional substances for themodification of the material characteristics. The attachment brush partcan comprise e.g. fibres for reinforcement. Herein, the additives areembedded in the matrix-forming plastic. Further possible additives arehereinafter described in more detail in the section further belowrelating to the additives.

Polybutylene terephthalate is characterised by a high impact strengthand wear-resistance. The first is of significance concerning thedropping of the attachment brush part or brush. The second is ofsignificance concerning the frictional contacts with the brush head andthe drive rod.

The attachment brush housing comprises a housing neck and a housing headwhich connects onto the housing neck at the brush head side. The housingneck is a tubular body with a continuous receiver which at the hand partside ends in a receiver opening and at the brush head side runs out inthe bristle carrier receiver of the housing head.

The housing neck in particular serves for receiving the drive rod. Thehousing neck moreover also receives the securing element.

A first receiving section for receiving the securing element connectsonto the hand-part-side receiver opening in the direction of the brushhead.

According to a particular embodiment variant, the first receivingsection forms a sleeve-shaped coupling section with a nub receiver forreceiving the coupling nub of a hand part.

The coupling section runs out in the receiver opening. The attachmentbrush part and the hand part are connected to one another by way ofinserting the coupling nub into the nub receiver of the coupling sectionof the housing neck.

If the coupling section with the nub receiver is formed by the securingelement, as is yet described hereinafter, then the attachment brush partand the hand part are connected to one another by way of inserting thecoupling nub into the nub receiver of the coupling section of thesecuring element.

It is known for different models of electrical toothbrushes to comprisecoupling nubs with different nub geometries. It is now conceivable forexample for the coupling section in the first receiving section of thehousing neck to have an inner geometry for receiving a coupling nub of afirst model of an electrical toothbrush.

The securing element which is described in more detail hereinafter canin turn comprise a coupling section with an inner geometry for receivingthe coupling nub of a second model of an electrical toothbrush. This isto say that the inner geometries of the two coupling sections in thesecuring element and in the housing neck are different from one another.

Depending on the model, with which the attachment brush is to becombined, in a first case a securing element with a coupling section andin a second case a securing element without a coupling section can beinserted into the first receiving section of the housing neck.

In the first case, the coupling section of the securing element isarranged in the coupling section of the housing neck. Accordingly, thecoupling nub of the hand part is coupled to the coupling section of thesecuring element. In this case, the securing element also serves forconnecting the attachment brush part to the hand part.

In particular, the outer geometry of the coupling section of thesecuring element can correspond to the inner geometry of the couplingsection of the housing neck. This means that the outer geometry of thecoupling section of the securing element corresponds at least partly toan interface of a first model. The coupling section of the securingelement is positively received in the coupling section of the housingneck in this manner.

In the second case, the securing element without a coupling section isdesigned accordingly shorter than the securing element with a couplingsection, so that this does not occupy the coupling section in thehousing neck, but is arranged in a section which connects onto thecoupling section in the direction of the brush head. Accordingly, thecoupling nub of the hand part is coupled directly to the couplingsection of the housing neck.

A securing element with or without a coupling section is then insertedinto the housing neck, depending onto which model of the hand part theattachment brush head is to be stuck.

This has the disadvantage that a common attachment brush housing can beapplied for several models of electrical toothbrushes. Thedifferentiation of the coupling between the attachment brush and thehand part is consequently controlled via a suitable design of thesecuring element. This has a positive effect on the tooling andmanufacturing costs.

Basically, even several types of securing elements can be provided, andthese differ from one another by differently designed coupling sections.The different types of securing elements can possibly also differ withregard to the feed-through of the control pin or the securing of thedrive rod. This is due to the different geometries of the control pinswhich are sometimes entailed by different coupling nubs.

In this manner, a common attachment brush housing can even be appliedfor more than two models of electrical toothbrushes with differentcoupling nubs.

It is also possible for the first receiving section on the housing neckto form no coupling section and for the coupling sections with the nubreceivers to be exclusively accommodated in the securing element.

Spring means such as for example a spring-elastic latching tongue with alatching lug can be arranged in the housing wall of the first receivingsection. The latching tongue is exposed via a U-shaped slot in thehousing wall. The arrangement, i.e. the latching tongue, is preferablyattached on the rear side. In particular, the U-shaped slot is directedto the rear.

The spring means serve for the fixation of the securing element in thehousing neck. According to the aforementioned embodiment varianttherefore, the latching tongue with its latching lug thus latches into adeepening on the securing element and fixes the securing element whichis inserted into the housing neck, in the axial direction. The mentionedparts additionally have a fit, so that an adequate non-positive orfriction fit arises after assembly.

In the first receiving section, one or several grooves can be arrangedtowards the second receiving section. In particular, the groove orgrooves run along the periphery. This means that their longitudinalextension is aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis of theattachment brush housing. The grooves can additionally fix the securingelement with regard to torsion forces which arise on use.

In particular, two grooves can be formed and these are incorporated inthe first receiving section and in the attachment brush housing axiallyat the same location or at the same height and each extend over a partof the periphery.

In the assembled state, the one or more grooves in particular interactwith corresponding prominences which are formed in the securing element.

Together, these effect an even more stable assembly of the securingelement in the first receiving section in the axial direction.

Furthermore, a second receiving section for receiving the drive rodconnects onto the first receiving section in the direction of the brushhead.

An in particular elongate pin receiver body with a pin receiver forreceiving the bearing pin of a drive rod which is yet described furtherbelow is arranged at the brush-head-side end of the second receivingsection. The pin receiver body in particular projects a little into thebristle carrier receiver of the housing head. The outer surface of thepin receiver body in cross section is designed in an arched or roundmanner towards the front side.

In particular, the pin receiver is a circular-cylinder-shaped deepening.In particular, the pin receiver is an elongate hole. In particular, thepin receiver is designed as a blind hole with an opening at the handpart side. In particular, the pin receiver lies on the control rotationaxis.

The pin receiver can comprise a funnel-like widening in the region ofthe insert opening, said widening serving as insert aid for the bearingpin.

The pin receiver can have a length or depth of 1 mm to 5 mm, inparticular of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm. The pin receiver can have a diameter of0.8 mm to 2 mm, in particular of 1 mm to 1.5 mm.

In particular, there is enough play between the bearing pin and the pinreceiver, so that tolerance deviations of the drive rod as occur e.g.due to shrinkage or deformation can be compensated.

A lateral tolerance of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, preferably of 0.08 mm to 0.15mm therefore exists. Amongst other things, angular deviations betweenthe components can be compensated herewith.

In the assembled state, in particular a play of 0.1 mm to 1 mm,preferably of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm exists in the longitudinal directionbetween the drive rod and the attachment brush housing or the securingelement. Longitudinal tolerances with respect to the control pin can becompensated herewith.

In particular, the pin receiver body is arranged on the rear-sidehousing wall and projects from this into the second receiving section.

The pin receiver body can be connected to a mounting sleeve for abearing pin in the housing head via a connection rib. Furthermore, theconnection rib can be connected to the rear-side housing wall. Thisincreases the stability of the housing head and renders this more robustwith regard to impacts and knocks. The rib, just as the pin receiverbody, in particular is an integral part of the attachment brush housing.

The rib can be designed as a straight-lined component between themounting sleeve for the bearing pin in the housing head and the pinreceiver body.

However, in particular the rib can also have a wider basic shape, with awider base and also with a larger or wider end surface.

The connection rib can have a height of 2 mm to 2.5 mm. The connectionrib at its base can have a width of 0.4 to 1.2 mm, in particular from0.6 mm to 1 mm. In particular, this is the case if the connection rib isshaped as a straight-lined component.

The connection rib can also be designed as an arrow-shaped element orcomprise this or form this and comprise e.g. an arrow tip and arrowshank. The tip is hereby directed to the mounting sleeve whilst theshank faces the pin receiver body. The shank can form at least a part ofthe pin receiver body.

In this case, the width at the base of the arrow tip in particular ismaximally 2.5 to 6 mm. The width in the region of the arrow shank inparticular is 0.7 to 2 mm.

The arrow-like design of the connection rib leads to an end surfacewhich is larger considered in the assembly direction of the brush headand which also acts as a support or a tilt limitation for the brushhead. Herein, the mentioned end surface acts as a stop surface in theassembly direction of the brush head.

The connection rib can further taper from its base on the housing wallin the direction of the free end.

One, in particular two through-openings which lie opposite one anothercan be arranged in the housing wall of the housing neck in thetransition from the first to the second receiving section. The recesses,in particular through-openings, serve for receiving latching lugs oflatching tongues on the securing element. Moreover, it is possible forthree or four through-openings to be arranged for receiving latchinglugs of latching tongues.

Moreover, through-openings, in particular slot-like through-openings canbe provided in the housing wall, in the housing neck as well as in thehousing head. These serve for the passage of water on cleaning theattachment brush part. Herewith, toothpaste residues which havepenetrated into the attachment brush part can be rinsed out.

Thus a through-opening can be provided on the front side and on the rearside, in the second receiving section of the housing neck, in particulartowards the housing head.

The length of the through-openings can be 5 mm to 9 mm, in particular6.5 mm to 7.5 mm. The width of the through-openings can be 0.5 mm to 2.5mm, in particular 1 mm to 2 mm.

The through-openings can be arranged in the housing head at the rearside. Straight-lined or arched, slot-like through openings which arearranged concentrically about the carrier rotation axis can therefore bearranged on the rear side. 2 to 5, in particular 3 such through-openingscan be provided.

The length of the slot opening can be 2 mm to 5 mm, in particular 2.5 mmto 3.5 mm. The width of the slot opening can be 0.5 mm to 2 mm, inparticular 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm.

One or more withdrawal ribs, in particular annular withdrawal ribs, canbe arranged on the outer surface of the housing neck. These areconcentric to the control rotation axis. The withdrawal ribs are toensure the necessary retention on withdrawing the attachment brush partfrom the hand part. The withdrawal ribs can be manufactured of adifferent material than the attachment brush housing, for example of asoft component.

The one or more withdrawal ribs can also be provided with a doublefunction. Apart from the mentioned retention on withdrawal, they canalso be used on conveying in the context of an automatic assembly. Theat least one withdrawal rib in particular can serve for the catching,such as e.g. the gripping, and firm holding of the attachment brushparts by a facility component such as a gripper or clip.

In this case, it is particularly only one withdrawal rib which isformed. This however in particular is somewhat more pronounced with agreater width and height. Furthermore, in this case the withdrawal ribin particular is manufactured from a hard component.

In particular, the outer diameter of the withdrawal rib is larger thanthe largest diameter of the attachment brush housing in the region ofthe withdrawal rib.

The housing head forms a beaker-shaped bristle carrier receiver which isopen to the front side via a carrier receiver opening. The bristlecarrier receiver serves for receiving or mounting at least the functionunit of the bristle carrier.

According to a particular further development, one can envisage thecarrier body with the care bristles being arranged outside the carrierreceiver opening.

The carrier receiver opening is delimited by a peripheral face endsurface which has different widths along the periphery. These differentwidths represent different wall thicknesses in the housing head. Theouter geometry of the face end surface can thus be designed in acircularly round manner, whereas the inner geometry is designedirregularly due to the changing wall thicknesses.

The face end surface is preferably designed in an extensive manner.Alternatively, this can be designed only partly extensively andadditionally also comprise prominences and deepenings. These prominencesand deepenings, on interaction and given a suitable design of thebristle carrier can activate the already described linear movement ofthe brush head in the direction of the bristles.

The housing head has the greatest wall thickness along the controlrotation axis in particular at its outermost head end, since it is herethat the housing head is particularly vulnerable with regard tomechanical loading and a confluence location of the plastic is locatedat this location inherent of the manufacture. The wall thickness herecan be 1 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular 1.5 mm to 2 mm.

The housing head in particular has the smallest wall thickness towardsthe housing neck, since it is here that the connecting housing neckensures the necessary stability. Here, the wall thickness can be 0.45mm.

A mounting sleeve with a feed-through opening for leading through abearing pin which is yet described hereinafter is arranged in thebristle carrier receiver. The mounting sleeve or the feed-throughopening has a length of 2 mm to 7 mm, in particular of 3.5 mm to 5 mm.

The mounting sleeve can form a peripheral stop shoulder, in particularone which is peripheral in an annular such as annulus-shaped manner,said stop shoulder being directed to the front side and encompassing acylinder-shaped end section of the feed-through opening. The stopshoulder can lie with a face end surface of the limitation cam which isdirected to the brush head, in one plane.

The surface of the stop shoulder is preferably designed in an extensivemanner. Alternatively, the stop shoulder can be designed only in apartly extensive manner and additionally also comprises prominencesand/or deepenings. These prominences and deepenings, on interaction andgiven a suitable design of the function unit can activate the alreadydescribed linear movement of the brush head in the direction of thebristles.

The cylinder-shaped, in particular circular-cylinder-shaped end sectionengages in particular into a subsequently described cylinder receiver onthe function unit and lies with the face end surface on a contactshoulder which surrounds a bearing pin receiver and is likewisedescribed hereinafter.

A depression for receiving the pin head of the bearing pin is providedon the rear side of the housing head. The interaction between the pinhead and the depression which is yet described at another location isconducive to the stability of the bearing pin and in particularaccommodates lateral forces upon these.

The depression can have a diameter of 1.5 mm to 4 mm, in particular of 2mm to 2.6 mm. The depth of the depression can be 0.5 mm to 4 mm, inparticular 1 mm to 2 mm.

The limitation cam which is already mentioned further above is arrangedin particular on the outer wall of the mounting sleeve for the bearingpin and is connected to this. The limitation cam can moreover also beconnected to the rear-side housing wall. In particular, the limitationcam is directed to the outermost head end along the control rotationaxis.

In particular, the limitation cam is an integral part of the housinghead. In particular, the limitation cam is arranged on the extension ofthe control rotation axis.

In particular, the limitation cam and the pin receiver of the pinreceiver body are arranged in a common plane. In particular, the controlrotation axis is likewise arranged in this plane. If present, aconnection rib as described further above can also be arranged in thisplane. The feed-through opening of the mounting sleeve can also bearranged in this plane. In particular, the plane corresponds to themiddle longitudinal plane of the attachment brush part.

The limitation cam can be designed in an essentially trapezoidal manner.This means that the limitation cam tapers from its free end to its base.In particular, the trapezoidal shape is symmetrical. The side flanks ofthe trapezoidal limitation cam can enclose an angle of 20° to 70°, inparticular of 35° to 60° with respect to the control rotation axis.

Greater angles of the side flanks of the trapezoidal limitation camentail the (trapezoidal) surface becoming larger toward the front side,also called end surface. Herewith, apart from the angular limitation,corresponding support surfaces also become larger. Moreover, thereinforcement ribs are designed in a more stable manner in the directionof the rear side.

The limitation cam can form a contact surface for the rotation movementof the function unit. In particular, this contact surface corresponds tothe aforementioned end surface.

The wall thickness of the attachment brush part, disregarding theaforementioned wall thickness of the housing head, can be 0.5 mm to 1.8mm, in particular 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm. Basically, the wall thicknesses inthe attachment brush part are variable and are optimised at therespective locations according to their functionality and demands.

Information, such as lettering or signs can be attached to the outerside of the attachment brush housing. The information can deposited byway of a printing method such as a tampon printing methods, digitalprinting methods. The information can also be deposited by way of anembossing method.

Furthermore, the information can also be incorporated integrally in theinjection moulding tool during the injection moulding, by way ofsuitable inserts, such as lettered inserts. In this case, theinformation, as also on embossing, is represented by way of raised andrecessed regions. This method can also be combined with an embossingmethod or a printing method.

Additionally or alternatively, information can also be produced by wayof using two materials which are different in colour, in particularplastic components. In particular, the attachment brush housing can bemanufactured in the multi-component injection moulding method. The useof a hard component and a soft component particularly lends itself forthis.

Function elements, for example bristles such as injected bristles,vibration-damping elements, flexible zones in the attachment brushhousing, massage elements or tongue cleaners, which are stationary withrespect to the oscillatorily rotatable brush head, can be arranged onthe outer side of the attachment brush housing, in particular of thehousing head. The mentioned function elements can be providedindividually or in combination with one another. The mentioned functionelements can be arranged on the front side and/or rear side of thehousing head.

One can envisage the mentioned function elements likewise being broughtinto motion by way of the movement of the brush head. The functionelements can be touched or displaced e.g. by way of a movement of thebrush head or of the bristle carrier, which leads to a movement of thefunction elements.

The function elements can alternatively also be brought into motion in adirect manner by way of the drive rod. In particular, it is possible forthe function elements to be brought into motion by way of a superimposedmovement of the drive rod (for example a longitudinal movement).

The mentioned function elements can be manufactured together with theattachment brush housing from a common component. The mentioned elementshowever can also be manufactured from a material component other thanthe hard component of the attachment brush housing, in particular of asoft component, in a multi-component injection moulding method.

All elements of soft material are preferably injected on the attachmentbrush housing in one working operation.

This means that the hard component as well as the further soft plasticcomponent (e.g. soft component) for the mentioned elements is processedin a multi-component injection moulding method.

The function elements can be elements of a soft component which areinjected onto the outer side of the attachment brush housing or of thebrush head. These elements can serve for damping the noises which arecaused by the operation of the toothbrush. The elements can also servefor sealing against the penetration of water.

The function elements can moreover be damping elements against knocksand impacts. The damping elements can protect the oral cavity frominadvertent impacts of the attachment brush part during dental care. Thedamping elements can also serve as a drop protection. With regard tothis, the damping elements are attached in particular to the front endof the attachment brush.

Furthermore, the function element can also serve for a better haptics.The function elements, such as grip elements, e.g. grip troughs, ribsetc., can serve for withdrawing and sticking the attachment brush partfrom and onto the hand part respectively.

The function elements can also form compliant, i.e. elastic surfaceswhich serve e.g. for compensating tolerances or for creating a bias orpre-loading, for example between the coupling section and the couplingnub. For this, the function elements can also be injected in the housinginside, e.g. in the coupling section.

Herein, the function elements can also be designed such that these, byway of a deformation which is initiated by the user, release a latchingmechanism, in order to separate the attachment brush from the hand part.

Furthermore, the function elements can also act resiliently upon alatching mechanism, in order to reinforce the latching effect. As arule, it is primarily the hard components of the mentioned componentswhich act given a latching mechanism between the hand part and theattachment brush.

The function elements of a soft component in particular can also servefor at least partly closing or covering openings in the hard componenton the attachment brush housing.

In particular, these can be openings which are technically necessary forthe assembly of other parts on or in the attachment brush housing.

On assembly of other parts, the soft component can herein be at leastpartly displaced and herein act in a resilient or elastic manner. Theassembly of other parts from the outside is not visible or is lessvisible on account of this. The contamination of these assembly zones isfurther also reduced.

Other parts for example can be the bearing pin, the securing element orthe brush head. It is to be expressly mentioned that these methods canalso be used for other parts which are not specified here, withoutdeparting from the framework of the invention.

The function elements can also be used in combination with a materialweakening in the hard component of the attachment brush housing (e.g.small wall thicknesses, recesses, hinges, etc.), in order in this mannerfor example to create flexible zones in the attachment brush housing.

The drive rod has the function of receiving the control pin of the handpart in its hand-part-side end section when the attachment brush part isstuck onto the hand part. For this, the drive rod at its hand-part-sideend section forms a control pin receiver for the end section of thecontrol pin. The drive rod is designed in particular in a sleeve-like ortubular manner in this section.

The longitudinal axis of the control pin receiver in particular runsalong the control rotation axis.

The control pin is pushed with its end section into the control pinreceiver. The control pin receiver in particular serves for the positiveand/or non-positive receiving of the control pin.

The oscillating rotation of the control pin should therefore betransmitted onto the drive rod via the described connection with aslittle loss or as little friction as possible. As already describedelsewhere, the oscillating rotation movement is not a 360° rotation, butfollows a defined oscillatory rotation angle.

The attachment brush housing together with the hand part is essentiallystationary relative to the oscillating movement of the control pin, thedrive rod and the brush head.

Despite a positive and/or non-positive receiving of the control pin, thedrive rod or its control pin receiver is preferably designed withcertain tolerances which permit control pins of different manufacturersor shapes and tolerances to be received.

The drive rod or its wall, in the region of the control pin receiver, inparticular can have a certain compliance or elasticity, so that thecontrol pin receiver is conditionally adaptable to different pin crosssections and permits e.g. a conditional, elastic widening of thereceiver cross section. The control pin receiver can have displacementribs or other deformable elements.

In particular, openings which are provided for forming a pressing tonguecontribute to the compliance of the walls.

However, openings are not necessary in all cases given a suitablematerial selection. In certain cases, at the most they act in anassisting manner.

In particular, a sliding fit can be created between the control pin andthe drive rod.

The drive section of the control pin is mounted in the control pinreceiver in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the drive rod sothat it is ensured that an oscillating rotation movement of the controlpin is transmitted onto the drive rod over the whole periphery.

The rotational fixation is achieved via a non-rotationally-symmetricaldesign of the drive section of the control pin, said design beingdescribed for example in the context of the control pin.

The control pin receiver can have a circularly cylindrical basic crosssection. If the drive section of the control pin comprises acircle-segment-shaped recess as described above, then the control pinreceiver, in relation to the circular basic cross section, can comprisean equal but opposite circle-segment-shaped wall thickening.

This on the one hand ensures a positive receiving of the drive sectionwith the recess in the control pin receiver and hence a rotationalfixation. On the other hand, the rotation position of the control pinand therefore of the hand part is also defined by way of this, by whichmeans an incorrect sticking of the attachment brush part onto the handpart is prevented.

However, the mentioned rotation position can also be defined by anon-rotationally-symmetrical design of the coupling nub on the hand partand of the nub receiver of the coupling section on the attachment brushpart.

The control pin receiver can have a greater length along the controlrotation axis than the length of the inserted drive section of thecontrol pin. This means that the receiver still has some free spacetowards the brush head given an inserted drive section. The inserteddrive section does not therefore completely fill out the receivertowards the brush head.

As already mentioned further above, the drive rod can comprise apressing tongue which is mounted in the wall of the control pin receiverin a spring-elastic manner, in the region of the control pin receiver.This tongue presses against the control pin which is inserted into thecontrol pin receiver and thus clamps this (additionally) in the controlpin receiver.

The pressing tongue is exposed out of the control pin receiver by way ofan opening, in particular a slot-like opening, in the wall of thecontrol pin receiver. In particular, the opening can be U-shaped. Theopening can simultaneously serve as a venting opening, via which the airwhich is displaced by the introduced drive section of the control pincan escape.

The latching tongue with regard to the orientation can be orientated inthe direction of the brush head or in the direction of the hand part.

The length of the pressing tongue can be 2 mm to 10 mm, in particular 3mm to 7 mm. The greater the length of the pressing tongue, the greatercan the deflections of the pressing tongue and accordingly the greatercan the pressing force upon the control pin be.

In a further development, for the purpose of forming an axial securing,the pressing tongue can be designed as a latching tongue with aninwardly directed latching lug for latching into a latching notch on thecontrol pin.

However, the latching notch and the latching lug in particular aredesigned and matched to one another such that the latching connectioncan be released again by hand by way of exerting a certain withdrawalforce upon the attachment brush housing. The withdrawal movement isaccordingly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the control pin or tothe control rotation axis.

In particular, a haptic and/or acoustic signal arises with the assemblyof the attachment brush on the hand part.

In particular, a certain play exists between the latching notch and thelatching lug in the axial direction.

It is further alternatively or additionally possible for a slot to becreated in the drive rod in the longitudinal direction on the brush headside, in particular in the continuation of the U-shaped opening, as aspring element or spring means. The control pin is clamped further byway of this. The length of the slot can be 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3mm to 7 mm.

According to a further development, the drive rod comprises a stopcylinder in the hand-part-side end section of the control pin receiver.The stop cylinder is an annular, in particular annulus-shaped hollowcylinder section of a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter ofthe receiving section of the control pin receiver of the drive rod, saidreceiving section connecting thereto. The stop cylinder accordingly hasa circular inner cross section.

The length of the stop cylinder can be 1 mm to 4.5 mm, in particular 2mm to 3.5 mm. The outer diameter of the stop cylinder can be 3 mm to 7mm, in particular 4 mm to 5.5 mm.

A peripheral or partially peripheral stop shoulder is formed in thetransition from the receiving section to the hollow cylinder section.

If the stop shoulder is designed as a partly peripheral stop shoulder,then preferably two to four sections of a stop shoulder are realised.These are preferably arranged in a symmetrical or regular manner andeach form a part-shoulder of the complete stop shoulder.

The stop shoulder can also be designed peripherally with a differentshoulder width. The stop shoulder can therefore be designed in a partlyperipheral manner for example with one or several sections with a lowershoulder width and with one or more sections with a larger shoulderwidth.

The stop shoulder can comprise a shoulder width of 0.2 mm to 3 mm, inparticular of 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, or from 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm.

If a stop shoulder is designed with partly peripheral shoulder sections,then the individual shoulder sections each cover an angle of 40° to120°, preferably of 50° to 80° with respect to the control axis.

In an embodiment, concerning which the wall is omitted in the securingelement in the brush-side sleeve section, it is possible to design thestop shoulder at least partly wider than is shown. The support by thestop shoulder can assume a larger surface due to the additionallyobtained space on the inner stop surface on the securing element.

The function of the annular hollow cylinder section and of theassociated stop shoulder is explained in more detail in the context ofthe description of the securing element.

The drive rod further has the function of transmitting an oscillatingrotation movement of the control pin further onto the bristle carrier orthe brush head.

For this, the drive rod at its brush-head-side end section comprises thefirst toothing which with the second toothing which is yet described inmore detail in the context of the bristle carrier forms a drivetoothing. The first toothing is pivotable about the control rotationaxis.

The first toothing consists for example of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, inparticular 2 teeth. The teeth are designed in a comparatively largemanner, which simplifies the compensation of tolerances.

The face end surfaces of the first teeth, via which the meshing with thesecond teeth is effected, can have an inclination of 30° to 60°, inparticular of 40° to 50° and very particularly 45° with respect to thecontrol rotation axis.

The outer geometry of the drive rod can be designed asymmetrically, i.e.not rotationally symmetrically, to the control rotation axis.

In particular, the drive rod is not constructed in a rotationallysymmetrical manner. The drive rod in particular can comprise a curvatureout of the control rotation axis. The drive rod can therefore compriseat least two longitudinal sections which are connected to one anothervia an arcuate section or consist of these sections.

A first hand-part-side longitudinal section of the drive rod cantherefore run parallel to the control rotation axis and a secondbrush-head-side longitudinal section run in an inclined manner towardsthe front side with respect to the control drive axis. This means thatthe longitudinal axis of the drive rod is not necessarily congruent withthe control rotation axis.

The drive rod can comprise a necking or tapering (necking section), inwhich the diameter in particular is essentially reduced. I.e. the driverod can comprise a part-section with the smaller diameter. The reducedor smaller diameter can be 1.5 mm to 4 mm, in particular 2 mm to 3 mm.

The region of the necking or tapering can assume a share of 10% to 30%,in particular of 12% to 18% of the total length of the drive rod.

The formation of a necking in the drive rod has the effect that this rodhas an increased flexibility in order to be able to accommodate loadswhich arise on sticking on or on operation of the attachment brush, to abetter extent. As a whole, an improved performance and a lower energyconsumption result.

The geometry of the drive rod in the hand-part-side end region can beadapted with regard to an improved handling in automated processes, suchas e.g. with regard to an improved conveying ability within theframework of an automated assembly.

The drive rod in the hand-part-side end region, for the purpose of anoptimal positionability of the drive rod in the automated process thushas an adapted cross section, differing from the round cross-sectionalbasic shape, in particular at two sides which lie opposite one another(to the left and right of the longitudinal axis). The cross-sectionaladaptation in particular encompasses the formation in particular ofplane surfaces. The surfaces can be formed by a lateral flattening ofthe round cross-sectional basic shape.

The drive rod can have a length of 30 mm to 65 mm, in particular of 40mm to 55 mm. The drive rod can have a maximal width (extension betweenthe two sides of the body care brush) of 5 mm to 8.5 mm, in particularof 6 mm to 7.5 mm The drive rod can have a height (extension between thefirst and rear side of the body care brush) of 5 mm to 9 mm, inparticular from 6.4 mm to 7.5 mm.

The drive rod forms a bearing pin on its brush-head-side end section.The bearing pin is herein arranged on the drive rod in a manner suchthat this runs in the control rotation axis.

This means that the longitudinal axis of the control pin receiver andthe longitudinal axis of the bearing pin lie on the control rotationaxis and therefore essentially on a common geometric axis.

Since the control axis in the case of different models can havetolerances with regard to the longitudinal direction, the mounting ofthe bearing pin in the pin receiver has sufficient tolerances withrespect to an angle deviation of the control axis or of the drive rod.

According to a further development, the drive rod in a brush-head-sideend section has a cross-sectional recess which is delimited to thehand-part-side end section by a bearing pin shoulder. The bearing pin isthen arranged on the bearing pin shoulder via its base.

The first toothing is arranged on the brush-head-side end of a rodcontinuation which starting from the bearing pin shoulder extends in thedirection of the housing head. The rod continuation can run parallel tothe bearing pin. A distance or a recess of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, in particularof 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm can be provided between the rod continuation and thebearing pin. The side of the rod continuation which faces the bearingpin can be a plane surface.

In the context of an emergency function or additional securing, thedrive rod can also serve as a transmission element or bearing elementshould the bearing pin be broken on account of incorrect use or overuse.For this, the side of the rod continuation is arranged in the directionof the bearing pin relatively close to this and the pin receiver body isdesigned in a round manner. In the case of a breakage of the bearingpin, the rear side of the rod continuation drags or bears on the pinreceiver body and the function and reliability of the attachment brushpart is ensured as was hitherto the case.

The bearing pin is rotatably mounted at least with its free end sectionin a pin receiver on the attachment brush housing. The pin receiver wasalready described in more detail in the context of the attachment brushhousing.

The bearing pin serves for the mounting of the brush-head-side endsection of the drive rod in the attachment brush housing.

According to a further development, the drive rod in its brush-head-sidelongitudinal section forms a contact with the attachment brush housingmerely via the bearing pin.

In particular, the surface of the bearing pin is smooth. In particular,a special treatment of the surface of the bearing pin is not necessary.

The bearing pin can have a total length of 1.5 mm to 4 mm, in particularof 2 mm to 3 mm.

In particular, the bearing pin forms at least one cylindrical middlesection. The diameter of the cylindrical middle section can be 0.4 mm to2 mm, in particular 1 mm to 1.8 mm. The length of the cylindrical middlesection can be 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular 1 mm to 1.6 mm.

The base of the bearing pin, via which this is arranged on the bearingpin shoulder, can be designed in a cone-like manner. The cone height canbe 0.2 mm to 1 mm, in particular 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm. The cone surfaces canenclose an angle of 10° to 40°, in particular of 15° to 30° to thecontrol rotation axis.

The bearing pin can form a conically tapering, free end section. Thelength of this end section can be 0.4 mm to 1.2 m, in particular 0.6 mmto 1 mm. The cone surfaces can enclose an angle of 10° to 40°, inparticular of 15° to 30° to the control rotation axis.

The bearing pin, considered from the front side, is arranged offset tothe rear with respect to the first toothing. In particular, the bearingpin can be arranged behind the first toothing.

The drive rod can comprise a flattening in the region of the control pinreceiver on the front side on the outer periphery. This flatteningserves as an assembly aid and simplifies the correct alignment orpositioning of the drive rod with respect to its rotation positionbefore the assembly.

The drive rod in particular consists of a hard component or comprisessuch. The drive rod can comprise a polyamide (PA) as a matrix materialor consist thereof. In particular, polyamide is characterised by itssmooth surfaces.

The drive rod can comprise one or more additives for the modification ofthe material characteristics. The drive rod can comprise e.g. fibres, inparticular glass fibres, for reinforcement. Herein, the additives areembedded in the matrix-forming hard component.

Further additional or alternative additives are described at anotherlocation in this description.

The bristle carrier consists of the carrier body and the function unit.The bristle carrier together with the care bristles and possibly furthercare elements forms the brush head.

In particular, the care bristles are cleaning bristles, such as toothcleaning bristles.

In particular, the care elements are cleaning elements.

The bristle carrier serves for taking up the movement of the drive rodand transmitting it onto the bristle field. Furthermore, the bristlecarrier receives the care bristles as well as possibly further careelements.

For the sake of simplicity, the care bristles amongst others arehereinafter also referred to merely as “bristles”.

As a rule, the bristles are extruded in a separate process before theyare inserted into bristle holes on the bristle carrier.

The bristles are arranged on the carrier body. The carrier body in turncomprises a bristle anchoring body, on which the bristles are anchoredor fastened. The bristle anchoring body can be an integral constituentof the carrier body. The bristle anchoring body can also be joined withfurther parts into a carrier body.

In particular, the carrier body is essentially round, such as circularlyround, in a plan view from the front side. The carrier body however canalso be designed in an oval or elliptical or polygonal manner in thementioned plan view. A polygonal carrier body can be designed e.g. as aregular or irregular polygon with e.g. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12corners.

The carrier body forms a centre which in particular also corresponds tothe centre of the bristle field. If the carrier body is oscillatorilymounted about a carrier rotation axis, then the carrier rotation axis inparticular leads through the centre.

The carrier body can further be disc-like. This means that its height issignificantly smaller than its largest diameter. This can be e.g. aratio (height:diameter) of 0.3 or smaller.

In particular, the surface of the carrier body, from which the bristlesexit, is plane. The mentioned surface however can also laterallycomprise indentations or protrusions. The mentioned surface inparticular can be designed convexly or concavely or also in awave-shaped manner. The mentioned surface can further formconcentrically arranged prominences and deepenings. The prominences anddeepenings can also be orientated longitudinally or transversely.

In particular, the carrier body comprises integrated bristle holes, viawhich the bristles are led outwards.

The carrier body can also be designed of several parts, so that thebristle holes can be formed in a separate part or carrier part-body(e.g. bristle anchoring body) which is then unreleasably connected to alower part or carrier part-body of the carrier body (e.g. base element)into the actual carrier body. The parts or the carrier part-body inparticular consist of the same hard component.

As is specified in more detail further below, the bristles can beattached to the carrier body in different manners.

The bristle carrier or its carrier body can have a diameter of 10 mm to18 mm, in particular of 12 mm to 16 mm.

The diameter of the bristle carrier or its carrier body can be equal toor larger than the outer diameter of the housing head in the region ofthe carrier receiver opening. By way of this, it is ensured that in thecase of an excessive wear of the contact surfaces between the bristlecarrier in the region of the yet subsequently described function unitand the housing head, the bristle carrier with it carrier body can forma resting contact with the annular face end surface of the housing headin the region of the carrier receiver opening.

This however also means that the carrier body of a wear-free attachmentbrush part in particular forms no resting contact with the annular faceend surface of the housing head in the region of the receiver opening,particularly in the new condition. In particular, a gap is providedbetween the carrier body and the annular face end surface.

On use, the resting contact cannot arise until there is a large pressureor an increasing wear and develops a function for additional reliabilityby way of the face end surface accommodating additional contactpressure.

Furthermore, the bristle carrier comprises a function unit which isarranged on the rear side of the carrier body. The function unitprojects in particular beyond a plane, rear side surface of the carrierbody. The function unit can have a diameter of 4 mm to 12 mm, inparticular of 6 mm to 10 mm.

The bristle carrier which encloses the function unit can have a totalheight of 5 mm to 12 mm, in particular of 7.5 mm to 10 mm.

The function unit amongst other things comprises the second toothing onthe rear side of the carrier body. The second toothing as part of thebristle carrier is rotatable together with the bristle carrier about thecarrier rotation axis.

The second toothing consists for example of 2, 3, 4, or 5, in particularof 3 teeth. The teeth are arranged in a radiant or radially runningmanner. The middle point of the radiant or radial arrangement inparticular lies on the carrier rotation axis.

The face end surfaces of the second teeth, via which the engagement ofthe first teeth is effected, can have an inclination of 30° to 60°, inparticular of 40° to 50° and very particularly of 45° with respect tothe carrier rotation axis.

According to a further development, the bristle carrier comprises arotation angle limitation device for the bristle carrier with twolateral stops for the limiting cams. In particular, the rotation anglelimitation device is part of the function unit.

The rotation angle limitation device or the associated lateral stops arearranged in particular in the direction of the upper housing head endabove the second toothing.

As has already been described in detail further above, the limitationcam is arranged in the bristle carrier receiver of the housing head. Inthe assembled state of the bristle carrier or brush head, the limitationcam is arranged between the two lateral stops. The bristle carrier isthen rotatable about a defined rotation angle which is defined by theabutting of the lateral stops on the limitation cam. The rotation angleof the drive rod which is produced via the drive is however smaller thanthe rotation angle which is theoretically possible via the stops.

The rotation angle of the bristle carrier about the carrier rotationaxis is for example maximally+/−30°, in particular maximally+/−25° withrespect to the neutral position of the bristle carrier. The neutralposition corresponds to the position of the limitation cam exactlybetween the two lateral stops. This means that the maximum totalrotation angle here is 60° and 50° respectively.

The interaction of the lateral stops and the limitation cam inparticular forms an over-twist protection.

In a further development, the lateral stops can be connected to oneanother via an arched, in particular circularly arched guide wall. Inparticular, the guide wall is arranged concentrically to the carrierrotation axis or to the aforementioned mounting sleeve in the housinghead.

The function unit can have a height of 2 mm to 8 mm, in particular of 4mm to 6 mm.

As already mentioned, the bristle carrier is rotatably mounted about thecarrier rotation axis in the attachment brush housing or in the bristlecarrier receiver in the housing head. In particular, the carrierrotation axis lies essentially perpendicularly to the control rotationaxis. The carrier rotation axis however can also be arranged at an angleof smaller than 90° to the control rotation axis.

In particular, the brush head is rotatably mounted in the bristlecarrier receiver of the housing head via a bearing pin which is yetdescribed in more detail hereinafter.

The bristle carrier or the associated function unit comprises a bearingpin receiver which is open to the rear side, for a subsequentlydescribed bearing pin. In particular, the bearing pin receiver isdesigned as a blind hole. This means that the bearing pin receiver isnot open to the front side of the carrier body.

The bearing pin receiver can also be designed as a through-opening. Inthis case, the bearing pin receiver is open to the front side of thecarrier body.

In particular, the pin shank of the bearing pin is not led up to thefront side of the carrier body. This means that the pin shank endsbefore the front side of the carrier body or of the bristle anchoringbody. The pin shank can end in the carrier body or bristle anchoringbody.

The longitudinal axis of the bearing pin receiver corresponds to thecarrier rotation axis. The diameter of the bearing pin receiver can be0.75 mm to 2 mm, in particular 1 mm to 1.6 mm. The axial length of thebearing pin receiver can be 2 mm to 5 mm and in particular 3 mm to 4 mm.The bearing pin receiver serves for anchoring the bearing pin in thebristle carrier. I.e. the bearing pin is fixed in the bearing pinreceiver on the bristle carrier.

Extensive tests have found that the dimensions of the bearing pin and ofthe bearing pin receiver which have been described in this text areparticularly advantageous, in order to ensure an optimal function andreliability of the attachment brush.

The bearing pin receiver is arranged at least partly and in particularcompletely in the function unit. According to a further development, thebearing pin receiver merely runs within the function unit which projectsfrom the rear side of the bristle anchoring body. This means that thebearing pin receiver ends before the bristle anchoring body.

The bearing pin receiver can also end within the bristle anchoring body.This means that the bearing pin receiver does not extend up to the frontside of the bristle anchoring body.

In the case of a multi-part brush carrier, i.e. of a separate bristleanchoring body, the bearing pin receiver preferably does not extend intothe bristle anchoring body.

The lateral stops for the limitation cam are arranged in particularlaterally of the bearing pin receiver in the neutral position of thebristle carrier.

The bristle carrier or the function unit, on its rear side further formsan annular contact shoulder which surrounds the opening of the bearingpin receiver. The annular contact shoulder is delimited to the outsideby an annular wall which forms a cylinder receiver and to the inside bythe bearing pin receiver. The annular, in particular annulus-shapedcontact shoulder serves for the contact of the bristle carrier on thehousing head or on the mounting sleeve and forms a contact surface forthis.

The bristle carrier bears in particular on a face end surface of themounting sleeve via the contact surface of the contact shoulder. Theannular wall which surrounds the contact shoulder, in the assembledstate in particular engages over the mounting sleeve along the carrierrotation axis and therefore ensures an adequate centring of the bristlecarrier in the housing head before assembly of the bearing pin.

The annular contact shoulder can have an outer diameter of 1 mm to 4 mm,in particular of 2 mm to 3 mm. The width of the annular contact shouldercan be 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm, in particular 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm.

Basically, the geometry of the bristle carrier or the connectionsbetween the bristle carrier and the attachment brush housing and thedrive rod are selected such that the forces which act upon the brushhead due to cleaning and care procedures are not transmitted onto thedrive rod and onto the securing element. In contrast, the forces areintroduced into the housing head via the mounting sleeve via theaforedescribed annular contact shoulder.

Finally, it is predominantly lateral forces which are transmitted ontothe second toothing on the bristle carrier by way of the rotating driverod which are act upon the first toothing of the drive rod. Inparticular, practically no axial forces are transmitted from the brushhead onto the drive rod.

This has the advantage that the movement function of the brush head isensured even with high loads upon the brush head.

In particular, the bristle carrier consists of a hard component orcomprises such. The bristle carrier can consist e.g. of polyoxymethylene(POM) or comprise this. Polyoxymethylene is very dimensionally stableeven amid changing environmental conditions due to the low humidityabsorption. Furthermore, polyoxymethylene is characterised by a highwear resistance, in particular in the region of the toothing. Thecharacteristics of polyoxymethylene also permit an optimal anchoring ofthe bearing pin in the bearing pin receiver, said bearing pin beingdescribed in yet more detail hereinafter.

Apart from the mentioned plastic, the bristle carrier can also compriseone or more additives for the modification of the materialcharacteristics. The bristle carrier can comprise e.g. fibres forreinforcement. Herein, the additives are embedded into thematrix-forming hard component.

Furthermore, the bristle carrier can also be improved with regard to itssliding characteristics and comprise one or more additives such asmolybdenum disulphide, PTFE and chalk. A PTFE modification of theplastic component has also been found to be very effective with regardto increasing the wear resistance. The wear coefficient can thus bereduced to a third of the value for non-modified polyoxymethylene.Herewith, the energy consumption can be lowered and the wear reduced.

Further possible additives are described in more detail in the section“additives”.

Since the bristle carrier bears on the attachment brush housing via acontact surface, the material pairing between the bristle carrier andthe attachment brush housing is particularly important. A carefullyselected material pairing is specifically to ensure a lower wear, i.e.friction and accordingly a longer service life of the attachment brushas well as minimised electricity consumption.

The material nature of the attachment brush part has already beendescribed further above.

The bristle carrier is rotatably fastened on the housing head via abearing pin. The bearing pin, apart from forming a physical rotationaxle (pivot), also has the task of fixing the bristle carrier on thehousing head. The bearing pin is led through the feed-through opening onthe housing head for the rotatable mounting of the bristle carrier onthe housing head. The bearing pin co-rotates with the brush head givencorrect use.

The bearing pin comprises a pin shank as well as a pin head which has adiameter which is wider compared to the pin shank. In particular, thepin head projects from the pin shank essentially at right angles. Thepin shank towards the pin head comprises a first cylindrical sectionwith a smooth surface. Furthermore, towards the free end the pin shankcomprises a second fastening section.

The first cylindrical section with a smooth surface serves as a plainbearing for the bearing pin in the mounting sleeve. Forces occurringradially upon the bristle carrier are accommodated in this bearing. Thesmooth surface of the cylindrical section serves for preventing wear anddamage to the bearing sleeve on account of this.

The fastening section comprises a structured surface which is to permita rotationally fixed, in particular non-positive and/or positiveconnection to the bristle carrier.

The structured surface can be a roughness pattern, such as a rougheningor corrugation. The roughness pattern serves for increasing the frictionfor the purpose of creating a friction fit.

The structured surface can also comprise anchoring elements, such ascone-shaped anchoring elements, or barbs. These permit the anchoring ofthe fastening section in the bristle carrier.

Anchoring means that the fastening section can be inserted into thereceiver on the bristle carrier in an insertion direction. Thewithdrawal of the bearing pin in the opposite direction however is notpossible or only possible amid the application of a high axialwithdrawal force, e.g. of more than 10 kg in particular more than 13 kg.

Anchoring elements in the form of several cone bodies which are arrangedsuccessively along the pin axis and which each taper to the free end ofthe pin shank can therefore be arranged in the fastening section on acylindrical base body.

The cone surfaces can enclose an angle of 40° to 80°, in particular 50°to 70° with regard to the pin axis.

The inner diameter of the cone body can be 0.3 mm to 2 mm, in particular0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

The length of the cone body along the pin axis can be 0.5 mm to 1 mm, inparticular 0.65 mm to 0.85 mm.

The anchoring elements can be constructed identically or differently.

The fastening section can comprise 2 to 8, in particular 3 to 6anchoring elements. The fastening section can further comprise aroughness pattern of the aforementioned type which is superimposed onthe anchoring elements.

The diameter of the pin head can be 1 mm to 3 mm, in particular 1.5 mmto 2.5 mm. The diameter of the pin shank can be 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, inparticular 1 mm to 2 mm. The length of the bearing pin can be 6 mm to 11mm, in particular 8 mm to 9.5 mm.

The bearing pin in particular consists of a metal, such as stainlesssteel. The material selection is of significance inasmuch as the bearingpin should not corrode in contact with toothpaste and other oralcleaning agents. Furthermore, no substances should be released intosaliva.

The bearing pin is manufactured as a turned part by way of turning or inparticular by way of reshaping (forming). The reshaping can be effectedby way of rolling.

The bearing pin is stuck through the bearing sleeve on the housing headvia an opening on the rear side of the housing head and with a fasteningsection engages into a bearing pin receiver on the bristle carrier. Adepression which receives the pin head, in particular in a completemanner, is provided in the region of the opening on the rear side of thehousing head. This means that the pin head in the depression inparticular is arranged flush with the outer surface of the housing heador is slightly sunk with respect to this. This is of significanceinasmuch as the brush head is situated in the oral cavity during dentalcare and any danger of injury due to projecting parts must be avoided.

Some radial play can be provided between the wall of the depression andthe pin head, e.g. 1/10 of the diameter of the pin head.

As mentioned, the bearing pin is connected to the bristle carrier in arotationally fixed manner. The receiving of the fastening section in thebearing pin receiver of the bristle carrier in particular is effectedvia a press fit or friction fit.

The fastening section of the bearing pin with regard to the diameter canhave an over-dimension with respect to the bearing pin receiver on thebristle carrier and this contributes to the formation of a friction fit.The overdimension can be 0.05 mm to 0.4 mm, in particular 0.1 mm to 0.2mm.

However, it is also possible for the bearing pin receiver to have anoverdimension with respect to the bearing pin, e.g. of 1.5/10 mm of thediameter of the bearing pin receiver.

The fastening section of the bearing pin, as mentioned, is a frontend-section on the bearing pin. The length of the fastening section canbe 2 mm to 5 mm, in particular 3 mm to 4 mm. The length of the fasteningsection can correspond to the axial length of the bearing pin receiver.

The length of the press fit can accordingly be 2.5 mm to 5 mm, inparticular 3 mm to 4 mm.

In the assembled state, the free end of the bearing pin is arranged inthe bearing pin receiver in particular such that this bears on the baseof the bearing pin receiver or a distance is formed between the base ofthe bearing in receiver and the free end of the bearing pin. Thisdistance can be 0 mm to 0.1 mm, preferably from 0.02 to 0.08 mm. Thismeans that the end surfaces bear on one another in a plane manner orthere is a defined gap.

The rotatable mounting of the bristle carrier is effected via thebearing pin which is rotatably mounted in the mounting sleeve.

The mounting sleeve on the housing head is then arranged between the pinhead and the bristle carrier or its function unit.

In particular, the bearing pin is mounted in the mounting sleeve withradial play. The axial play can be 0.01 mm to 0.25 mm, in particular0.02 mm to 0.18 mm.

The bearing pin can likewise have play in the longitudinal direction, sothat the brush head is slightly displaceable along the carrier rotationaxis relative to the housing head. The play can be 0.02 mm to 0.3 mm, inparticular 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm. Stresses between the brush head and thehousing head can be avoided by way of this.

The securing element serves for the radial securing or alignment of thehand-part-side end section of the drive rod. Furthermore, the securingelement serves for the axial securing or fixation and positioning of thedrive rod in the attachment brush housing, so that this cannot fall outof the attachment brush housing.

In particular, the securing element is inserted into the housing neckvia the hand-part-side receiver opening on the attachment brush housingand is fastened in this neck. The securing element is fastened in thehousing neck in particular via a non-positive and/or positive fitconnection. The fastening can be releasable or non-releasable.

In particular, the securing element is designed as a securing sleeve.The securing sleeve in particular forms a continuous sleeve cavity.

The securing element in particular also serves for the attachment brushhousing being fixed with regard to the hand part and only the drive rodand the brush head being moved.

The securing element in particular comprises a brush-head-side sleevesection for receiving and supporting the end section of the drive rod.

In particular, the brush-head-side sleeve section can also accommodateaxial forces of the drive rod.

The brush-head-side sleeve section has sufficient tolerance such that anunhindered attachment of the attachment brush part and in particular thelocating of the fit between the control pin and the drive rod ispossible, despite angular deviations of the control pin.

According to a further development, the securing element in thebrush-head-side sleeve section forms an inner-lying, annularcross-sectional narrowing in the form of an inner ring. The annularcross-sectional narrowing forms an annular inner stop surface whichfaces the brush head. In particular, the inner stop surface isorientated perpendicularly to the control rotation axis. The annularcross-sectional narrowing furthermore forms a cylinder-shaped receivingsection, in particular circular-cylinder-shape receiving section, forreceiving the stop cylinder of the drive rod.

The cylinder-shaped receiving section serves for the pre-centring of thedrive rod via the stop cylinder of the drive rod which engages intothis. The actual centring of the drive rod is effected via the insertionof the control in into the control pin receiver of the drive rod.Furthermore, the drive rod is also radially secured on itshand-part-side end section in this manner.

The cylinder-shaped receiving section is arranged concentrically to thecontrol rotation axis. The cylinder-shaped receiving section can have anaxial length of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, in particular of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

The inner stop surface can have a radial width of 0.25 mm to 2 mm, inparticular of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The annular cross-sectional narrowing canhave an inner diameter of 4 mm to 7 mm, in particular of 5 mm to 5.5 mm.

The drive rod is then rotatably mounted on the inner stop surface of thesecuring element via its contact shoulder and is therefore axiallysecured with the necessary tolerance. Herein, the stop shoulder and theinner stop surface in particular form an extensive sliding contact.

However, in particular a play exists between the stop cylinder and theannular cross-sectional narrowing, so that the stop cylinder forms nofriction fit in the tubular cross-sectional narrowing. This means thatthe outer diameter of the stop cylinder is smaller than the (inner)diameter of the cylinder-shaped receiving section.

Consequently, the inner surface of the cylinder-shaped receiving sectionand the outer surface of the stop cylinder which lie opposite oneanother do not contact one another in operation. A contact of thementioned surfaces is effected at the most within the framework of thepre-centring when the control pin is not yet inserted into the controlpin receiver of the drive rod.

The drive rod is consequently rotatably mounted in its brush-head-sideend section via the bearing pin on the attachment brush housing and inits hand-part-side section via the stop shoulder on the securingelement. In particular, a radial and axial play exists.

The outer peripheral surface of the brush-head-side sleeve section ofthe securing element is for the most part designed in a smooth manner.

Furthermore, the injection point is arranged on the outer peripheralsurface of the brush-head-side sleeve section of the securing element.

One or more, in particular two spring-elastic latching tongues which lieopposite one another can be arranged in the wall of the brush-head-sidesleeve section of the securing element. The latching tongues can eachcomprise a latching lug which is arranged on the tongue end and which isdirected outwards. In the assembled state of the securing element, thelatching lug is latched in a latching notch, latching groove or latchingopening, on the housing neck and in this manner ensures an axialsecuring of the securing element.

The at least one latching tongue is accordingly arranged outside the nubreceiver in the direction of the brush head, said nub receiver being yetdescribed hereinafter.

The brush-head-side section of the securing element comprisescorresponding openings, in particular slot-like openings in the sleevewall, said openings releasing the latching tongues. The openings areaccordingly open to the free end of the sleeve section. The openings runin the longitudinal direction of the securing element.

The latching tongue can be part of a longitudinal rib on the outerperiphery of the securing element, said rib being yet describedhereinafter. The longitudinal rib can extend to into the hand-part-sidesleeve section which forms e.g. a nub receiver. The longitudinal rib canserve as an assembly aid for inserting the securing element into thehousing neck.

In a further embodiment, the wall of the brush-head-side sleeve sectionof the securing element is reduced or omitted to such an extent, that itis only the spring-elastic latching tongues with the latching lugs whichare attached therein which are still present. Herein, the wall can beabsent to such an extent that an empty space arises up to the inner stopsurface. By way of this, one succeeds in the inner stop surface beingwider in the region of the absent wall and hence providing more contactsurface.

According to a further development of the securing element, this forms ahand-part-side sleeve section with a nub receiver for receiving thecoupling nub of the hand part.

The securing element according to this further development consequentlyalso serves for the connection of the attachment brush part to the handpart.

Longitudinal ribs which run in the longitudinal direction of thesecuring element can be arranged on the outer surface of thehand-part-side sleeve section. The longitudinal ribs can have a width of0.2 mm to 0.7 mm, in particular of 0.35 mm to 0.55 mm. The longitudinalribs can have a height of 0.5 mm to 0.2 mm, in particular from 0.08 mmto 0.12 mm. The length of the longitudinal ribs which in particular isthe same for all longitudinal ribs, in particular corresponds to roughlythe length of the hand-part-side sleeve section.

In particular, the securing element bears on the inner surface of thehousing neck at least partly via the outer surface of the hand-part-sidesleeve section.

The hand-part-side sleeve section therefore, as a coupling section,forms the interface to the hand part. The inner geometry of the nubreceiver is accordingly adapted to the outer geometry of the couplingnub.

Outer geometries of coupling nubs on the hand part as well as innergeometries of sleeve-like coupling sections on the attachment brush partare described in detail for example in the published document WO2013/170390.

The nub receiver in the region of the receiver opening can comprise afunnel-like widening which serves as an insert aid for the coupling nub.The funnel-like widening in particular is arranged in the region of theinsert limitation flange which is yet described hereinafter.

The pin receiver can comprise so-called longitudinally runningdisplacement ribs. “Longitudinally running” means in the longitudinaldirection of the attachment brush part.

The displacement ribs are deformed under pressure, in particularplastically, and therefore ensure a good press fit.

The displacement ribs serve for firmly holding or clamping the couplingnub in the nub receiver. The displacement ribs permit larger tolerancesbetween the coupling nub and the nub receiver without the friction fitconnection between the coupling nub and the nub receiver becomingcompromised.

The length of the displacement ribs can be variable and is orientated tothe inner geometry of the nub receiver. Displacement ribs of a differentlength can be arranged in the nub receiver.

The width of the displacement ribs can be 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, inparticular 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm. The width can taper in the direction of thebrush head. Too great a clamping or even a blocking of the coupling nubin the nub receiver is prevented even if no play is present between thebasic inner geometry of the nub receiver and the coupling nub, thanks tothe small width.

The height of the displacement ribs can be 0.05 mm to 0.4 mm, inparticular 0.1 mm to 0.25 mm. The height can reduce in the direction ofthe brush head. A clamping is achieved thanks to the small height of thedisplacement ribs, even if play is present between the basic innergeometry of the nub receiver and the coupling nub.

In particular, the displacement ribs are arranged to the left and rightside of the body care brush.

The outer surfaces of the two sleeve sections are each in particulardesigned conically and taper towards the brush head. By way of this, theinsertability of the securing element into the conically designedreceiver of the housing neck is ensured.

Alternatively or additionally to the displacement ribs, the securingelement can comprise one or more spring elements opposite the couplingnub. The spring element or elements act upon the coupling nub.

The spring element or elements can consist of a hard component, of asoft component or of a combination thereof.

The spring element can also be attached to the attachment brush housingand act upon the coupling nub through a recess of the securing elementor act upon the coupling nub in interaction with a further springelement on the securing element.

The action of the spring element or spring elements upon the couplingnub in particular lies in exerting a clamping force upon the insertedcoupling nub.

A notch can be arranged on the outer surface of the hand-part-sidesleeve section. This notch serves for receiving the latching lug of alatching tongue, said latching tongue being arranged in a firstreceiving section of the housing neck.

Furthermore, in particular geometries which correspond with the U-shapedslot of the latching tongue of the attachment brush housing are createdon the rear side of the securing element.

A projecting geometry on the securing element can therefore be designedin a U-shaped manner and therefore be completely inserted into theU-shaped slot on assembly.

A projecting geometry on the securing element in the form of one or moreparts of the U-shaped geometry can also be formed on the securingelement, so that in particular only part-geometries are inserted intothe U-shaped slot on assembly.

According to a particular embodiment, two stumps or projections whichare next to one another and distanced to one another are arranged on thehand-part-side end of the securing element, said stumps or projectionsin the assembled state engaging into the U-shaped slot at the end limbsof this slot.

The projections can each have a length of 1 mm to 5 mm, in particular of1.5 mm to 3 mm. Furthermore, the projections can have a ramp-shapedascent in the assembly direction. In this manner, the insertion of thesecuring element into the attachment brush housing and hence also themoving of the projections into the U-shaped recess or its end limbs isassisted.

One or more, in particular two prominences which are arranged along theperiphery of the securing part can be provided as further elements forthe retention of the securing part in the attachment brush housing. Thismeans that their longitudinal extension is aligned transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the securing part.

In particular, the prominences are arranged in the first securing partaxially at the same height.

The prominences latch into corresponding grooves on the attachment brushhousing, said grooves having already been described further above, sothat a latching is effected on inserting the parts into one another.

In particular, the prominences are formed on the two lateral wallsbetween the latching tongues. The prominences lie over a peripheralregion of 50° to 170°, in particular of 100° to 160°, between thelatching tongues.

The prominences themselves can be subdivided, so that several smaller(part) prominences are formed.

The securing element at its hand-part-side end in the region of the nubreceiver opening in particular comprises an annular insert limitationflange. The outer periphery of the insert limitation flange is flushwith the connecting outer periphery of the housing neck, into which neckthe securing element is inserted. The insert limitation flange ensuresthat the securing element is not inserted completely into the housingneck. For this, the insert limitation flange forms a stop, via which thesecuring element abuts on the face end surface of the hand-part-sidereceiver opening on the housing neck.

This means that the axial length of the securing element can no longerbe changed at a later stage by inserting the control rotation axle aswell as the coupling nub of the hand part into the coupling section.

The insert limitation flange can additionally comprise identificationinformation on its outer surface, said information permitting theidentification of the attachment brush part. The identificationinformation can be a colour coding. The users of a common hand part cantherefore unambiguously identify their personal attachment brush part byway of the colour coding on the outer surface of the insert limitationflange.

The attachment brush housing can be white for creating a particularlygood contrast for the purpose of the colour coding.

The outer diameter of the insert limitation flange can be 8 mm to 18 mm,in particular 11 mm to 15 mm.

The length of the securing element can be 10 mm to 30 mm, in particular18 mm to 24 mm.

The outer diameter of the securing element subsequently to the insertlimitation flange can be 6 mm to 15 mm, in particular 8.5 mm to 12.5 mm.

The securing element can consist of a hard component or comprise this.The securing element in particular consists of polypropylene (PP) orcomprises this. Polypropylene has the advantage that this is acomparatively soft hard component and the wearing at the coupling nub ofthe hand part therefore remains low.

The use of polypropylene however necessitates the securing elementpreferably being assembled with a friction fit or press fit, in order toensure a significantly high withdrawal force with regard to the couplingnub.

The securing element in particular consists of a softer material thanthe coupling nub. In particular, the hand-part-side sleeve section whichforms the nub receiver is compliant. This is of significance inasmuch asthis ensures an optimal clamping of the coupling nub in the nubreceiver.

Such a material combination also has the effect that it is not thecoupling nub of the long-life hand part but rather the nub receiver ofthe comparatively short-lived attachment brush part which is worn by wayof the repeated sticking-on and withdrawal.

Furthermore, the hand-side-part sleeve section can be shaped on theouter side such that it corresponds to a possible interface.

The selection of different plastic components and possibly of additivesfor manufacturing the attachment brush housing, the drive rod, thebristle carrier and the securing element very generally in particularserves for the friction-optimised interaction of the individualcomponents.

As already mentioned further above, the bristle carrier and the bristlesform the so-called brush head. The bristles form a bristle field on thecarrier body.

The bristle field can be formed from one or more bristle field segments.Bristle field segments correspond to part-surfaces of the bristle fieldwhich are provided with bristles and possibly with care elements, andwhich in particular are distanced to one or more further bristle fieldsegments.

In particular, the bristle field segments are formed from care bristlesor bristle bundles of care bristles. However, it is also possible forindividual bristle field segments, in particular elongate bristle fieldsegments to be formed from soft material and in particular from onepiece. This means that not all segments of a bristle field have toconsist of bristles.

In turn, a bristle field segment can, but does not need to be designedexclusively of care bristles. Apart from care bristles, the bristlefield segment can also comprise other types of care element, e.g. of asoft material. Such care elements can be e.g. lamellae.

As explained yet hereinafter, the bristle field segments can havedifferent shapes of base surfaces, hereinafter simply called shape. Aclassical shape of a bristle field segment is the round shape, inparticular the circular shape.

The bristle bundles which form the bristle field or the bristle fieldsegments can be designed in a radiant manner. This means that thebristles of a bristle bundle run apart, from their base in the directionof the free end.

The bristle bundles which form the bristle field or the bristle fieldsegments can be designed cylindrically. This means that the bristles ofa bristle bundle run parallel to one another from their base in thedirection of the free end.

The bristle bundles can be pointed at their free end. In particular,this improves the cleaning performance.

Round, in particular circularly round or circular bristle field segmentscan be formed from individual or individually standing bristle bundles.

The bristles can be conventional bristles, i.e. extruded bristles. Theextruded bristles can be cylindrical. The free bristle ends can becylindrical or pointed at one or both sides. A combination ofcylindrical and pointed bristles in a bristle field or bristle fieldsegment is likewise possible.

The bristles can moreover also be injected. In contrast to conventional,extruded bristles, injected bristles are manufactured by way of aninjection moulding method and consist of a bristle component accordingto the present description.

Combinations of extruded and injected bristles in a bristle field arelikewise possible.

Apart from bristles, as already mentioned, the brush head can comprisefurther function elements or care elements such as massage elements orcleaning elements. These can consist of a soft component.

The free bristle ends of the bristle field can be arranged in a plane.However, the bristle field can also be profiled. Profiling means thatthe free bristle ends of the care bristles or of the bristle bundles arenot arranged in a common plane but lie on different planes. As a rule,such a profiling is achieved by way of different bristle lengths.However, the profiling can also be achieved by a profiling of thebristle carrier or its base. In this case, the bristle base is arrangedon different planes. Herein, the care bristles can have the samelengths.

Thus for example a profiling of the bristle field, according to which acentre region of the bristle field lies deeper than the bristles orbristle field segments which surround the centre region, can beprovided. The free ends of the care bristles in the centre region inparticular lie the deepest compared to the remaining bristles.

The centre region can be formed by one or more bristle field segments.

One can envisage individual or all bristle field segments each having noprofiling within a profiled bristle field. This means that the bristleends of the care bristles of such a bristle field segment lie in acommon plane.

However, one can also envisage individual or all bristle field segmentsthemselves comprising a profiling. This means that the free bristle endsof the care bristles within a bristle field segment lie in differentplanes, thus have a different height.

The height relates to the level of the bristle ends from the bristlecarrier in the direction of the bristle ends.

Individual or all bristle field segments of a profiled bristle field canhave a profiling or no profiling.

The profiling, which is to say the height difference between the freebristle ends can be e.g. 1 mm or more.

With regard to the design of the bristle field segments, the bristlefield according to a variant can comprise a central bristle fieldsegment which is surrounded by further bristle field segments.

The further bristle field segments can be radiantly arranged about thecentral bristle field segment, particularly if these are elongatebristle field segments.

The further bristle field segments can be arranged concentrically aboutthe central bristle field segment, particularly if they are bristlefield segments which are designed in an arched manner. A combination ofbristle field segments which are arranged radiantly and concentricallyis possible.

The central bristle field segment can e.g. be round, in particularcircularly round. The central bristle field segment can bespiral-shaped.

According to a further variant, the bristle field can comprise at leastone bristle field segment which is designed in an arched manner. Thebristle field segment can have the shape of a circular arc. The bristlefield segment can also be banana shaped.

The bending of the bristle field segment can be directed outwards(bristle field segment is open to the inside). The bending of thebristle field segment can be inwardly directed (bristle field segment isopen to the outside).

The at least one bristle field segment can be arranged concentrically toa circular bristle carrier.

In particular, the at least one arched bristle field segment bristlefield is arranged peripherally and can be arranged e.g. on the outeredge of the bristle field.

According to a further variant, the bristle field can comprise aspiral-shaped bristle field segment. In particular, the spiral-shapedbristle field segment is arranged in a centre region of the bristlecarrier, thus forms a central bristle field segment.

The spiral-shaped bristle field segments can have 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5windings.

The spiral-shaped bristle field segment can be anti-clockwise orclockwise.

The spiral-shaped bristle field segment can be profiled and consideredfrom the inside (centre) to the outside can have an increasing height(centre is the highest point) or a reducing height (centre is the lowestpoint) along the spiral course. In particular therefore the bristlelength can increase or reduce from the inside to the outside along thespiral course. The increase or reduction can be continuous or step-like.

According to a further variant, the bristle field can comprise at leastone T-shaped bristle field segment. The at least one T-shaped bristlefield segment comprises a trunk as well as two limbs which at the endside lead away from the trunk at an angle, in particular at a rightangle. The trunk can be directed radially to the centre. The trunk canbe directed radially outwards, away from the centre.

Several T-shaped bristle field segments of a bristle field can bedirected with their trunk towards one another.

In particular, the at least one T-shaped bristle field segment isarranged in the centre region of the bristle field.

Two or more than two T-shaped bristle field segments can be connected toone another via their trunk, in particular via the free end of thetrunk.

Two or more than two T-shaped bristle field segments can be connected toone another via one or both limbs, in particular via the free end of thelimb.

According to a further variant, the bristle field can comprise at leastone triangular bristle field segment and in particular severaltriangular bristle field segments. The at least one triangular bristlefield segment can point with a triangle tip towards the centre. The atleast one triangular bristle field segment can point with a triangle tipradially outwards away from the centre. A combination of triangularbristle field segments with triangular tips which point to the centreand radially outwards is also possible.

The at least one triangular bristle field segment can be arrangedperipherally, in particular on the outer edge of the bristle carrier.

The at least one triangular bristle field segment can be arranged abouta central bristle field segment.

According to a further variant, the bristle field can comprise at leastone and in particular several elongate, straight, such as e.g.dash-shaped bristle field segments. In particular, the at least oneelongate, straight bristle field segment is arranged in a radiantmanner, i.e. arranged pointing radially outwards about the centre of thebristle carrier. The at least one elongate, straight bristle fieldsegment can be designed tapering towards the centre or outwards.

The elongate, straight, such as e.g. dash-shaped bristle field segment,in particular four thereof, can each be arranged at a right angle to oneanother, in a cross-shaped or X-shaped manner.

In each case two dash-shaped bristle field segments can be arranged on acommon straight line.

In each case two dash-shaped bristle field segments can be arrangedparallel to or along the longitudinal axis of the attachment brush part.

It is also possible for two dash-shaped bristle field segments to bearranged on a common straight line which is arranged at an angle, e.g.of 45°, to the longitudinal axis of the attachment brush part.

The dash-shaped bristle field segments can project beyond the otherbristle field segments in the bristle field.

According to a further variant, the bristle field can comprise at leastone circle or ring of bristle field segments. In particular, the ring orcircle of bristle field segments is arranged concentrically to thecentre of the bristle carrier. In particular, the ring or circle ofbristle field segments is arranged peripherally, very particularly onthe outer edge of the bristle carrier.

The bristle field segments of such a ring or circle can be as follows:

-   -   round, in particular circular;    -   triangular.

The ring or circle of bristle field segments can be interrupted by otherbristle field segments, such as for example elongate, radially outwardlydirected bristle field segments.

In particular, two or more than two rings or circles of bristle fieldsegments which are arranged concentrically to one another can also beprovided.

According to a further variant, the bristle field can comprise severalbristle field segments which are arranged randomly, i.e. without arecognisable pattern, on the bristle carrier. Despite the randomarrangement, the bristle field segments can be distributed uniformlyover the bristle field. In particular, the bristle field segments havethe same shape. The bristle field segments can be differently large.

In particular, the bristle field segments are round, such as circular.The bristle field segment can have different diameters.

According to a further variant, the bristle field can comprise severalbristle field segments which are arranged such that these have aspiral-like course from the outside towards the centre.

The spiral-like arrangement of bristle fields can be characterised byparticular characteristics of the bristles or bristle bundles of thebristle field segments or of the bristle field segments themselves, saidcharacteristics forming said arrangement and via which the bristle fieldsegments differ from other bristle field segments. This for example canbe the colour of the bristles or the bristle type or the design of thebristle end or of the ends of the bristle bundles. Furthermore, this canalso be the shape and/or the size of the bristle field segmentsthemselves or the inclination of the bristle bundles.

The bristle field segments of a spiral-like arrangement in particularare round, such as circular. The bristle field segments can havedifferent sizes, such as e.g. different diameters. The size of thebristle field segments can thus decrease from the outside to the inside.

The spiral-like arrangement of bristle field segments can be achievedfor example by way of several rings or circles of bristle field segmentswhich are arranged concentrically to one another and which are arrangedoffset to one another. The rings or circles each have bristle fieldsegments of a different size, by which means the aforementioned offsetarises.

According to a further variant, the bristle bundles of at least onebristle field segment and in particular of several bristle fieldsegments can be inclined. In particular, the bristle field segmentsconcerned are round, such as circular.

An inclination of the bristle bundles, on interaction with theoscillation of the carrier body about the carrier rotation axis, canreinforce the cleaning effect.

In particular, the inclination of the bristle bundles is relative to acarrier rotation axis of the carrier body. The bristle bundles can beinclined towards the carrier rotation axis or away from this.

According to a particular embodiment, the bristle bundles are inclinedin the peripheral direction. In particular, the peripheral direction isdescribed by a family of tangents along the outer periphery of thecarrier body. The peripheral direction can be in the clockwise oranti-clockwise direction.

The inclination axis of the bristle bundles can enclose an angle withthe carrier rotation axis of larger than 0°, in particular of 5° orlarger. The inclination axis of the bristle bundles can enclose an anglewith a carrier rotation axis of 45° or smaller, in particular of 30° orsmaller, very particularly of 20° or smaller.

The inclination axis of the bristle bundles can intersect with thecarrier rotation axis.

The inclination axis of the bristle bundles can be at a skew relation tothe carrier rotation axis. This means that both axes are neitherparallel nor do they intersect

The bristle field can comprise bristles or bristle bundles of bristlefield segments with and without an inclination.

The bristle field can comprise bristles or bristle bundles withdifferent gradients.

It is also possible for bristles with and without an inclination and/orwith different inclinations to be arranged within a bristle fieldsegment.

All of the aforementioned variants can be combined with one another inthe context of the design of bristle fields.

According to a particular embodiment, the carrier body on the front sidecomprises in particular a plurality of bristle holes which each receivea bristle bundle. In particular, the bristle holes are round, veryparticularly are circular.

A bristle hole in the aforementioned context defines a bristle fieldsegment.

As already mentioned, the carrier body can also be designed in amulti-part manner, so that the bristle holes are shaped out in aseparate part or carrier part-body (e.g. bristle anchoring body) whichconnected to the lower part or carrier part body of the carrier body(e.g. base element) then results in the actual carrier body. The bristleholes can be designed as blind holes or as through-holes. The holes canhave different cross-sectional shapes.

The carrier body comprises e.g. 18 to 40 bristle holes, in particular 22to 35 bristle holes. The bristle holes can have a diameter of 1 mm to1.7 mm, in particular 1.2 mm to 1.5 mm.

According to a particular embodiment, the carrier body comprises anarrangement of bristle holes and accordingly of bristle bundles whichcan be divided into three groups. In the neutral position of the bristlecarrier, an upper first and lower second group each describe the shapeof a circle segment or an arc section, in particular circular arcsection. The upper and lower group can also have the shape of a circlesegment.

In particular, the arc section or the circular arc section or the circlearc of the circle segment run parallel to the circle line of the inparticular circular carrier body. The term “parallel” in its present useis to be understood in the context of parallel curves.

A parallel curve is to be understood as the generalisation of theconcept of a parallel to a given straight line in the Euclidean plane.Herewith, the curves with regard to their normals likewise have adistance to one another which remains the same over their course.

The first and the second group in particular consist of two arched rowsof bristle bundles which are arranged parallel to one another. The outerrow can e.g. comprise four bristle bundles and the inner row threebristle bundles.

The middle group consists of one or more, in particular two parallel,straight-lined rows of bristle holes or bristle bundles. In the neutralposition of the brush head, the rows of bristle bundles in particularrun perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the attachment brushpart or to the rotation axis of the drive rod.

If the middle group comprises two or more than two parallel,straight-lined rows of bristle bundles, then this group can form arectangular bristle part-field. If the middle group comprises more thantwo parallel, straight-lined rows of bristle bundles, then the middlegroup can form a bristle part-field with a contour which is designed inan arched manner towards the carrier body edge.

Passageways can be formed between the groups of bristle holes or bristlebundles.

The arrangement of the bristle holes or bristle bundles in three groupswith passageways lying therebetween permits an unambiguous separation ofthe bristle bundles in the manufacturing process. This in turn permitsthe optimal rounding of the bristle ends even given differently longbristles in the respective groups.

According to a particular further development of the aforementionedembodiment, the bristle field is profiled. Herein, the free bristle endsof the middle group of bristle bundles lie more deeply or have a smallerheight than the free bristle ends of the outer-lying first and secondgroup of bristle bundles. The mentioned bristle bundles of the middlegroup are therefore set back.

This means that the bristles of the upper and lower groups can projectbeyond the bristles of the middle group. The bristle length of the upperand lower group can hence be 5 mm to 12 mm, in particular 7 mm to 10 mm.The bristle length of the middle group can be 5 mm to 9 mm, inparticular 6 mm to 8 mm.

The bristle fields can basically be constructed symmetrically, such asmirror-symmetrically, in particular with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the attachment brush part. The symmetry can relate to one ormore of the following aspects:

-   -   the bristle arrangement,    -   the bristle type,    -   the bristle length,    -   the bristle colour.

The bristle characteristics can vary over the bristle field or within agroup of bristles or bristle bundles of a bristle field segment. Suchcharacteristics can be e.g. colour, material nature or bristle length.

According to a further embodiment, the bristle field comprises at leastone outer row or circle of bristle bundles, an inner or middle row orcircle of bristle bundles as well as a centre region with at least onebristle bundle. The bristle bundles have a round, in particularcircularly round base.

In particular, the bristle field can consist of the outer and middlecircle as well as the centre region of bristle bundles. In particular,the circles of bristle bundles are arranged concentrically about thecarrier rotation axis.

In such a design, for example 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16, preferably12 bristle bundles can be arranged on the outer circle. 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9,preferably 6 bristle bundles can be arranged on the inner circle. 1, 2,3, or 4, preferably 3 bristle bundles can be arranged in the centreregion.

If 3 bristle bundles are provided, the bristle bundles in the centreregion in particular can be arranged on an equilateral triangle. Thismeans that the centres of the 3 bristle bundles form the corner pointsof the equilateral triangle.

In particular, the centre of the mentioned circles, in particular of thementioned two circles of the bristle bundles and the centre of theequilateral triangle are identical.

In a further development, one can envisage the bristle bundles of theoutermost row or circle of bristle bundles having an inclination in theperipheral direction. The perpendicular height of the bristles parallelto the carrier rotation axis can be 7 mm to 12 mm, in particular 8.5 mmto 11 mm.

According to a further development, bristle bundles of an inner, inparticular middle row or circle of bristle bundles can have aninclination which is opposite to those of the outermost row or circle.The perpendicular height of the bristles parallel to the carrierrotation axis can be 6 mm to 11 mm, in particular 8 mm to 10 mm.

The inclination of the bristle bundles with respect to the carrierrotation axis can have an angle of 5° to 30°, in particular of 5° to 10°or 15° to 20°.

The bristle bundles can be inclined towards the carrier rotation axis oraway from this.

The inclination axis of the bristle bundles can intersect the carrierrotation axis.

The inclination axis of the bristle bundles can have a skew relation tothe carrier rotation axis. This means that the two axes are neitherparallel nor do they intersect.

According to a further development, the bristle bundles in the centreregion can be perpendicular with respect to the front side of thecarrier body, i.e. run parallel to the carrier rotation axis. Theperpendicular height of the bristles parallel to the carrier rotationaxis can be 5 mm to 11 mm, in particular 7 mm to 10 mm.

It is basically possible for different bristle lengths to be providedwithin a bristle bundle or bristle field segment. A graduation of thebristles can thus be provided within a bristle bundle. The grading canbe 0.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular 0.8 mm to 3 mm. Herein, discretegraduations can be provided. A continuous transition between the bristlelengths can also exist.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide bristles with differentcharacteristics, e.g. with regard to material nature, bristle type,colour, cross section, surface nature, bristle end geometry, in theindividual bristle bundles or bristle field segments.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the bristlebundles of an outermost circle of bristle bundles can be designed ofpointed bristles and the bristle bundles of one or two inner circleswith cylindrical bristles.

Alternatively, it is also possible to implement cylindrical bristles inthe outermost circle and to design the bristle bundles of the one orboth inner circles with pointed bristles.

With regard to the profiling or the bristle cut, the design ispreferably such that the bristle bundles which stand above or projectbeyond the bristle carrier to the highest extent are arranged in theoutermost circle and the bristle bundles of the inner circle or innercircles project to a lesser extent. This bristle cut is therefore betteradapted to the tooth shape.

Alternatively, the bristle bundles towards the centre stand at a higherextent, so that a more targeted interdental cleaning is possible.

According to an embodiment variant, several movable carrier bodies canbe provided in an attachment brush part, and these each form a bristlefield. The carrier body can be of the same or of a different design. Thecarrier bodies can have the same or a different movement pattern.

The carrier bodies of a hard component can be at least partly connectedto one another by way of a soft component. The zone of the softcomponent can be a flexible or pliable zone.

Possible characteristics of the aforementioned function elements whichcan be arranged for example on the bristle carrier or on the attachmentbrush housing, are described in more detail hereinafter. Thesecharacteristics have already been described to some extent under therespective section.

The function elements can have a care function, such as cleaning and/ormassage function. Several function elements can also be combined. Thefunction elements can also comprise an oblique setting.

Conventional, i.e. extruded bristles can be provided as functionelements.

Injected bristles, which is to say bristles which are manufactured in aninjection moulding method can also be provided as function elements.Injected bristles are manufactured from a bristle component.

The function elements can be a tongue cleaner. The tongue cleaner can bemanufactured from a hard component, a soft component or a combination ofhard component and soft component. Accordingly, the tongue cleaner canhave rubber-elastic characteristics.

The tongue cleaner can also be manufactured from the same plasticcomponent as the injected bristles.

In particular, the manufacture of the tongue cleaner is effected in theinjection moulding method.

The tongue cleaner is preferably arranged on the rear side and/orlaterally on the attachment brush housing, in particular on the rearside and/or laterally on the housing head.

The function elements can also be a massage and cleaning element. Themassage and cleaning element can consist of a soft component.Accordingly, the massage and cleaning element can have rubber-elasticcharacteristics. The massage and cleaning element can be manufactured byway of injection moulding in the multi-component injection mouldingmethod.

Preferably, a material fit exists between the hard component of thebrush head and the massage and cleaning element or other functionelements.

Possible characteristics of the aforementioned conventional, i.e.extruded bristles which can be arranged for example on the bristlecarrier or on the attachment brush housing are described hereinafter.These characteristic have already been described to some extent underthe respective section.

The described positions, postures, inclinations of the conventionalbristles or bristle bundles can be completely, individually, regularlyor irregularly replaced by other function elements.

The conventional bristles can consist of a hard component or of a softcomponent. In particular, the conventional bristles can be manufacturedfrom polyamide (PA) or polyester, such as polybutylene terephthalate(PBT).

The conventional bristles can be cylindrical. The conventional bristlescan be pointed at one side or at both sides. In particular, theconventional bristles can be pointed via a chemical method, inparticular if these consist of a polyester, such as polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT).

The conventional bristles can also be designed in a corrugated, twistedand or spiral-shaped manner along their longitudinal axis.

The conventional bristles in cross section can be round, in particularcircular, triangular rectangular, square, elliptical, polygonal,trapezoidal, parallelogram-shaped or rhomboidal.

The conventional bristles can have a largest diameter of 0.075-0.25 mmfor applications in oral hygiene. The cross-sectional area can be 0.002to 0.2 mm².

The conventional bristles can have a largest diameter of 0.025-0.2 mmfor applications in cosmetics. The cross-sectional area can be0.001-0.15 mm².

As mentioned, the manufacture can be effected by way of an extrusionmethod of one plastic component or by way of a coextrusion method ofmore than one plastic component.

The surface of the conventional bristles can be smooth or textured.

The conventional bristles in particular are grouped together intobristle bundles on the carrier body.

In contrast to injected bristles or massage and cleaning elements whichare manufactured directly on the carrier body or on the attachment brushhousing by way of injection moulding, conventional bristles are extrudedin a first step, post-machined e.g. cut in a second step and areattached to the carrier body in a third step. The attachment of thebristles to the carrier body can be effected via the anchor punchingmethod, AFT method, IMT method etc. which is described in yet moredetail at another location.

The bristling of the carrier body, as already explained further above,can be effected in different manners. Accordingly, the carrier body canalso be constructed completely differently.

A first bristling method is the so-called conventional anchor punchingmethod. With regard to this method, the carrier body comprises blindholes which serve for receiving the bristle bundles. In particular, theblind holes are manufactured during the injection moulding of thecarrier body.

The conventional bristles are folded in bundles and are punched into thebristle holes and thus fastened in the carrier body by way of anchorplatelets.

Furthermore, anchor-free methods such as AFT (anchor free tufting), IMT(inmould tufting), AMR, PTt or IAP (integrated anchorless production)are also known.

One of these anchor-free bristling methods is the so-called AFT method(anchor free tufting). Concerning this method, the conventional bristlesor the bristle bundles are fastened to a bristle anchoring body, e.g. toa carrier platelet, without the help of an anchor.

Herein, the bristles are led in bundles with their end which liesopposite the free used end, from the front side through passages oropenings in the bristle anchoring body, so that an end section of thebristle bundle projects beyond the rear side of the bristle anchoringbody.

The end sections of the bristle bundles which project beyond the rearside of the bristle anchoring body are connected to the bristleanchoring body by way of melting, bonding or welding.

The bristle anchoring body is subsequently unreleasably fastened to theconventional bristles which are fastened on this, in the recess of abase element, for example by way of (plastic) welding, such asultrasound welding or bonding. A mechanical anchoring, e.g. a snapconnection, is likewise or additionally possible.

The recess in the base element is herein adapted to the geometry of thebristle anchoring body. The recess is surrounded by a peripheral,projecting edge.

The bristle anchoring body and the base element together form thecarrier body.

The rear side of the bristle anchoring body is defined as that sidewhich faces the base element and is possibly connected to this and whichis directed to the rear side of the body care brush.

The front side of the bristle anchoring body is accordingly indicated asthat side, from which the bristles exit with their care-effectivebristle section.

Concerning the AFT method, it is important for the bristle anchoringbody to be fastened in a centred and horizontal manner with respect tothe base element. Imbalances could otherwise arise with therotating/oscillating operation, and these could lead to undesirablemovements or vibrations.

It is also possible in the AFT method to design the base element/carrierbody less thickly which is to say thinner in the direction of thebristle field. This is the case due to that fact that no bristle holesor blind holes need to be formed in the component, in comparison withconventional anchor punching methods. By way of this, it is possible forthe bearing pin receiver to be designed as a through-hole instead of ablind hole. Despite this, the opening cannot be seen in the finishedproduct since the bristle anchoring body is assembled thereabove and thehole is therefore covered.

According to a first variant which differs from the embodiment of an AFTmethod which is described above, the bristle anchoring body on thebristle anchoring side comprises a peripheral connection edge whichprojects in the direction of the base element and which accordinglysurrounds a recess. The fastened bristle ends are arranged in therecess. The bristle anchoring body forms a type of U-shape in crosssection.

The base element for its part comprises a peripheral edge which forms aconnection contact surface for the face end surface of the projectingconnection edge of the bristle anchoring body.

The bristle anchoring body is then connected to the base element via theface end surface of the projecting connection edge which lies on theconnection contact surface. In particular, the connection contactsurface and the face end surface are arranged perpendicularly to thecarrier rotation axis.

The connection can be effected by way of (plastic) welding, such asultrasound welding, or bonding. A mechanical anchoring, e.g. a snapconnection, is likewise or additionally possible.

One or more melt elements can be arranged on the face end surface and/oron the connection contact surface. These melt elements project beyondthe mentioned surfaces. The melt elements are melted on welding and thusprovide additional plastic material for creating a weld connection.

The peripheral edge of the base element encompasses atruncated-cone-shaped body which faces the bristle anchoring body.Starting from a the peripheral edge, this comprises a flank which isinclined to the centre as well as a plane surface which is raised withrespect to the peripheral edge and is enclosed by the inclined flank.The truncated-cone-shaped body serves for centring the bristle anchoringbody on the base element.

The bristle anchoring body lies on the base element via the face endsurface of the projecting connection edge, in particular only on theperipheral edge. A cavity can be formed within the peripheral edgebetween the base element and the bristle anchoring body.

According to a further development of the first variant, the bristleanchoring body and the base element can comprise positioning aids whichpermit the bristle anchoring body to be positioned on the base elementin a defined angular position about the carrier rotation axis.

This can be of significance for example if the bristle field is not oris only partly symmetrically structured with respect to the arrangementof the bristles, the bristle length, the alignment and nature of thebristles and accordingly needs to be assembled in a correctly positionedmanner.

The positioning aids can be pairings of recesses and prominences whichare matched to one another, wherein one of the elements is arranged onthe bristle anchoring body and the other element on the base element.

The positioning aids now engage into one another at the correct angularposition on attaching the bristle anchoring body onto the base element.The positioning aids are accordingly arranged on the sides of thebristle anchoring body and the base element, said sides facing oneanother.

One can thus envisage the face end surface of the bristle anchoring bodyand the connection contact surface of the base element meeting oneanother for the purpose of not creating the connection until in thecorrect angular position of the bristle carrier.

Thus for example the recesses can be arranged on the base element andthe prominences on the bristle anchoring body. A reverse arrangement islikewise possible. An alternating arrangement of prominences andrecesses is also possible.

The recesses and prominences can be designed equally but oppositely, sothat a positive engagement arises.

For example 1 to 5, in particular 1 to 4 such pairings of recesses andprominences can be provided. Preferably, the pairings are provided inaccordance with the symmetries in the bristle field.

Tips, webs, half-spheres on the truncated-cone-shaped bodies etc. can beattached to the base element for reducing the play of the bristle fieldin the bristle anchoring body. These reduce the freedom movement of playof the bristle field in the assembled state and also prevent noises onaccount of this.

According to a second variant, the bristle anchoring body on the bristleanchoring side likewise comprises a peripheral connection edge whichprojects in the direction of the base element and accordingly surroundsa recess. The fastened bristle ends are arranged in the recess. Thebristle anchoring body forms a type of U-shape in cross section.

In contrast to the first variant, the peripheral, projecting connectionedge on the bristle anchoring body comprises a step which starting froma face end surface forms a contact shoulder which is set back inwardsalong the carrier rotation axis and is with a shoulder surface.

The base element for its part comprises a peripheral edge which forms aconnection contact surface for the shoulder surface of the projectingconnection edge of the bristle anchoring body. The bristle anchoringbody in now connected to the base element via the shoulder surface whichlies on the connection contact surface. The connection contact surfaceand the shoulder surface in particular are arranged perpendicularly tothe carrier rotation axis.

The connection can be effected by way of (plastic) welding such asultrasound welding or bonding.

One or more melt elements can be arranged on the shoulder surface and/oron the connection contact surface. These project from the mentionedsurfaces. The melt elements are melted on welding and therefore provideadditional plastic material for creating a weld connection.

The bristle anchoring body with a peripheral outer connection edgesection which runs out at the end side in the face end surface and atthe carrier side in the contact shoulder now engages over the connectioncontact surface of the base element at the outer side. The bristleanchoring body with its outer connection edge section overlaps theperipheral surface of the base element.

The outer connection edge section serves for the centring of the bristleanchoring body on the base element. For this, the outer connection edgesection forms a centring surface which faces the peripheral surface ofthe base element. The centring surface can run parallel to the carrierrotation axis.

The peripheral surface of the base element which lies opposite the outerconnection edge section of the bristle anchoring body can be designed ina conically tapering manner in the direction of the bristle anchoringbody.

According to a modification of the second variant, the peripheralsurface which is on the base element and which lies opposite the outerconnection edge section of the bristle carrier is designed taperingconically in the direction of the bristle anchoring body, wherein theperipheral surface forms a connection contact surface.

The centring surface of the outer connection edge section likewisecomprises an inclination which corresponds to the inclination of theperipheral surface. In this manner, an extensive connection is formedbetween the centring surface and the peripheral surface on attaching thebristle anchoring body to the base element.

The melt elements which have already been described above can bearranged in the peripheral surface and/or in the contact surface.

The step with the contact shoulder can be designed more narrowlyaccording to this modified embodiment.

The aforedescribed second variant and its modification can also comprisepositioning aids for securing a defined angular position of the bristleanchoring body. The description concerning the first variant is referredto concerning this subject.

The function unit can additionally serve as a positioning aid given thewelding process between the base element and the bristle anchoring body.In particular, the bearing pin receiver can serve as a positioning aidduring the welding process between the base element and the bristleanchoring body. Since forces can occur with the welding recess betweenthe base element and the bristle anchoring body, it is useful to securethe function unit on the welding facility by way of supports, in amanner such that no undesirable deformations of the function unit canoccur during the welding process.

A further, anchor-free method is the so-called IMT (in mould tufting)method. With regard to this method, for anchoring, conventional bristlesare peripherally injected by way of plastic in an injection mouldingmachine.

For this, the individual bristle bundles are melted with one another attheir fastening-side ends.

A bristle anchoring body which is provided with the aforementionedbristle bundles is subsequently inserted into the cavity of an injectionmoulding mould, in which a plastic component is subsequently injectedfor anchoring the bristle bundles. This together with the bristleanchoring body forms the carrier body.

In a modification of this method, also only the aforementioned bristlebundles at least with their fastening-side end sections can be insertedinto the cavity of an injection moulding mould, in which a plasticcomponent which forms the carrier body is subsequently injected foranchoring the bristle bundles.

This modified method can also be carried out in a two-stage manner, byway of the aforementioned bristle bundles in a first step beingperipherally injected with a first plastic component in an injectionmoulding tool whilst forming a bristle anchoring body. In a second step,the bristle anchoring body is peripherally injected with a secondplastic component in the injection moulding tool amid the formation ofthe complete carrier body. This method is also called IAP (integratedanchorless production).

A further anchor-free bristling method is the so-called AMR method.Concerning this method, the conventional bristles or the bristle bundlesare led through into the through-holes of a bristle anchoring body. Thebristle bundles which exit out of the bristle anchoring body at the rearside are connected to the bristle anchoring body by way of melting. In afurther step, the rear side with the bristle molten mass isover-injected with a soft component in an injection moulding tool.

A further anchor-free bristling method is the so-called PTt method.Concerning this method, the conventional bristles or the bristle bundlesare fastened to the carrier body, likewise without the help of ananchor.

Herein, the bristles with their end which lies opposite the free usedend are led in bundles through openings of a holding/pressing device.The bristle bundles are subsequently melted in bundles at their endsections which are to be anchored in the carrier body.

In a further step, the carrier body which has already been injectionmoulded prior to this is heated at least partly to the glass transitiontemperature parallel to this. The melted bristle bundles are theninserted into blind holes or recesses in the carrier body by way of aholding/pressing device. The bristle bundles are fixed in the blindholes or recesses by the holding/pressing device amid the application ofpressure. Concerning this procedure, the blind holes or recesses arereduced in size, which leads to an anchoring of the bristle bundles.

This method however has the problem that by way of heating the carrierbody to the glass transition temperature, without any special measuresthe function unit which is arranged on its rear side and which is withthe bearing pin receiver, the second toothing and the lateral stops canbecome damaged or become deformed.

Indeed, a deformation of the function unit cannot be allowed to occursince the components which are designed with low tolerances concerningthe function unit, such as bearing pin, drive rod or housing head can nolonger interact in an optimal manner.

As a measure against an undesirable deformation, the function unit canbe thermally insulated for example during the bristling. This can beeffected via insert parts or intermediate elements. Herewith, thefunction unit is not heated or to a lesser extent.

Alternatively, as with the AFT method, the carrier body can be dividedinto a bristle anchoring body and a base element which are connected toone another after attaching the bristle bundles (e.g. as describedabove). In contrast to the AFT method, the bristle anchoring body inthis case has no through-holes or continuous recesses but has blindholes or recesses which are not continuous.

The function unit can serve as a positioning aid with the bristlingprocess. In particular, the bearing pin receiver can serve as apositioning aid during the bristling process. Since forces and thermaldeformation can occur with the bristling process, it is useful to securethe function unit on the bristling facility by way of supports, in amanner such that no undesired deformations can occur on the functionunit during the bristling process. For this, shape-symmetrical supportelements can be moved into the function unit. In particular, it can benecessary to secure the bearing pin receiver by way of the moved-in pin.It can be additionally necessary to secure the second toothing on thebristle carrier by way of a support.

One can also envisage manufacturing the bristle carrier of two differenthard components which have different melting temperatures. For example,the carrier body can be manufactured of a first hard component with alower melting point and the function unit of a second hard componentwith a higher melting point.

Such a carrier body can be manufactured in a two-component injectionmoulding method.

A further option can lie in heating the carrier body from the front sideto the desired glass transition temperature and subsequently cooling thefunction unit from the rear side.

Furthermore, support geometries which support the geometry of thefunction unit can also be incorporated, so that no deformation occursdespite the heating.

The aforedescribed possibilities for preventing the deformation of thefunction unit during the bristling can of course also be combined withone another. Thus for example a support pin can be inserted into thebearing pin receiver, in order to support this. Furthermore, a supportgeometry which ensures the shape retention of the first toothing canalso be provided for the first toothing.

According to a further method, the bristling of the carrier body canalso be effected by way of rotating the bristles into recesses.

The following components, as already described to some extent furtherabove, in particular are manufactured by way of an injection mouldingmethod in an injection moulding tool:

-   -   attachment brush housing    -   drive rod    -   securing element    -   bristle carrier, i.e. carrier body with function unit.

In particular, the aforementioned components are manufactured of onepart. The aforementioned components can consist of a single plasticcomponent.

The associated injection moulding method can be a hot-runner method or acold-runner method.

If the components comprise several plastic components, then these can bemanufactured by way of a multi-component injection moulding method. Aparticular variant of this method is the so-called co-injection methodas has been described in the published document WO 2013/020 237.

The multi-component injection moulding method amongst other things ischaracterised in that the plastic components connect to one another viaa material fit and/or via a positive fit.

The creation of a positive-fit connection between two plastic componentsin particular can be assisted by a shrinkage behaviour of the lastlyinjected plastic component on cooling.

The hard components which are mentioned in the framework of thisdescription can be:

-   -   styrene polymerisates such a styrene acrylonitrile (SAN),        polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene        methyl methacrylate (SMMA) or styrene butadiene (SB);    -   polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) for        example also in the forms of high density polyethylene (HDPE) or        low density polyethylene (LDPE) [polyethylene can be applied as        a hard component or soft component depending on the processing];    -   polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the form        of acid-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETA) or        glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polybutylene        terephthalate (PBT), acid-modified polycyclohexylene dimethylene        terephthalate (PCT-A) or glycol-modified polycyclohexylene        dimethylene terephthalate (PCT-G);    -   cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose        acetobutyrate (CAB), cellulose propionate (CP), cellulose        acetate phthalate (CAP) or cellulose butyrate (CB);    -   polyamides (PA) such a PA 6.6, PA 6.10 or PA 6.12;    -   polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA);    -   polycarbonate (PC);    -   polyoxymethylene (POM);    -   polyvinyl chloride (PVC);    -   polyurethane (PUR) [polyethylene can be applied as a hard        component or soft component depending on the processing and        modification];    -   polyamide (PA).

In particular, polypropylene (PP) is used as a hard component.

The modulus of elasticity of the hard component is 1000-2400 N/mm²,preferably of 1300 to 1800 N/mm².

Hard components are particularly applied in carrier structures. Thesecan be e.g. the grip body housing of the hand part, the attachment brushpart or the carrier body.

If several hard components are applied in a multi-component injectionmoulding method or different hard components are connected to oneanother by ultrasound welding, then these amongst one another inparticular form a material fit.

It is also conceivable for several hard components which do not assume amaterial fit amongst one another to be applied in a multi-componentinjection moulding method. A positive fit is provided concerning suchcomponent pairings. The positive fit can include undercuts, openingsand/or partial or complete peripheral injections. The positive fit canbe assisted by way of a shrinkage behaviour of the lastly injected hardcomponent on cooling.

Examples of possible pairings of hard components which assume nomaterial fit are polypropylene-polyester, or polypropylene-styreneacrylonitrile.

The soft components which are mentioned in the framework of thisdescription can be:

-   -   thermoplastic styrene elastomers (TPE-S), such as for example a        styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolmer (SEBS) or styrene        butadiene styrene copolymer (SBS):    -   thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPE-U);    -   thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPE-A);    -   thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPE-O)    -   thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPE-E).    -   silicones;    -   polyethylene (PE) [polyethylene can be applied as a hard        component or soft component depending on the processing and        modification];    -   polyurethane (PUR) [polyurethane can be applied as a hard        component or soft component depending on the processing and        modification].

In particular, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and very particularlythermoplastic styrene elastomers (TPE-S) are applied as a softcomponent.

In particular, the soft component has a Shore A hardness of smaller than90, preferably smaller than 50, particularly preferably smaller than 30.

The soft component preferably forms a material fit with the component(s)which is/are injected over it.

The injected bristles which are mentioned within the framework of thisdescription can be of the following components:

-   -   thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPE-U);    -   thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPE-E)    -   thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPE-A).

The injected bristles consist of a bristle material, i.e. of anelastomer and in particular of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomerTPE-U. These can be modified for the purpose of achieving improved flowcharacteristics or a quicker solidification, i.e. a quickercrystallisation. The more rapid solidification is achieved in particularby way of a modification, thanks to which the molecule chains alreadyconnect at comparatively high temperatures.

The components (bristle components) for injected bristles have a Shore Dhardness of 0 to 100, in particular 30-80. Special shapes of softcomponents are applied for injected bristles and these as a rule havehigher Shore hardnesses than the soft components of soft-elasticcleaning or massage elements or hand-grip zones such as thumb rest ortongue cleaner.

Within the framework of a multi-component injection moulding method, thecomponents for injected bristles or the bristle components as a rule donot assume a material fit with the other applied soft and/or hardcomponents. A positive fit is therefore envisaged for any connections toother hard or soft components. The positive-fit can comprise elementssuch as undercuts, openings and/or partial or complete peripheralinjections. The positive-fit connection can be assisted by way of theshrinkage behaviour of the lastly injected component for injectedbristles during the cooling.

Bio-plastics can be used as plastic components (hard or soft components)and these are manufactured of renewable raw materials. Such rawmaterials can be maize, hemp, sugar, rizinus oil, palm oil, potatoes,wheat, sugar cane, rubber, wood, castor plant/miracle tree.

The base materials which are important for manufacturing bioplastics,such as cellulose, starch, lactic acid (PLA), glucose, chitin orchitosan can be obtained from these raw materials.

Furthermore, water-soluble polymers can also be applied as plasticcomponents (hard or soft component).

Additives can be admixed to the plastic components (hard or softcomponent), as has already been mentioned at various locations and theseadditives in combination with the plastic component ensure particularcharacteristics of the component which is manufactured therefrom. Suchcharacteristics can be: reinforcement of the component, increasing thewear-resistance or improving the sliding characteristics or reducing thefriction coefficients.

The additives can be glass fibres (reinforcing the component), glassballs (reinforcing the component), chalk (improving the slidingcharacteristics) or PTFE (improving the sliding characteristics).

Herein, the plastic component forms the plastic matrix which receivesthe additives.

The assembly of the attachment brush part in particular is effected onan assembly mandrel. This can comprise an assembly aid in the form of acoupling nub of the hand part, for which aid the attachment brush ismanufactured.

In a first step, the securing element is assembled with itshand-part-side sleeve section onto the assembly mandrel.

In a second step, the drive rod is assembled onto the assembly mandrel.The assembly mandrel is designed such that the drive rod is positionedon the assembly mandrel in the correct angular position about thecontrol rotation axis relative to the securing element and accordinglyalso relative to the subsequently assembled attachment brush housing.

In a third step, the attachment brush housing is assembled on theassembly mandrel via the drive rod and the securing element. With thisstep, the securing element latches with its latching tongues in theattachment brush housing and is hence fixed therein. Furthermore, thedrive rod is also fixed in the attachment brush housing via the securingelement and the bearing pin which is moved into the pin receiver.

In the fourth step, the already bristled brush head is assembled in thebristle carrier receiver of the housing head. With this procedure, thebrush head is inserted with its function unit into the bristle carrierreceiver in a positionally correct manner, wherein the toothings of thebrush head and of the drive rod mesh into one another.

The bearing pin is subsequently introduced from the rear side of thehousing head and is pressed with its anchoring section into the bearingpin receiver on the brush head. The brush head is now connected to thebearing pin in a rotationally fixed manner and is pivotably mounted inthe housing head via the bearing pin.

Thanks to the present invention, attachment brush parts can bemanufactured for different models of care brushes from comparatively fewinjection moulded parts or further components. Lessmanufacturing/assembly steps occur due to this, and less injectionmoulding tools are required, which has a positive effect on themanufacturing costs. In particular 5, 6 or 7 components are required forthis attachment brush.

Furthermore, less assembly steps also occur due to the reduction inparts, and this renders the assembly more efficient.

Thus for example only a single bearing pin is necessary for fasteningthe brush head, and this connects the brush head to the housing headwithout further fastening means.

The bearing pin in this context fulfils several tasks:

-   -   rotational mounting of the brush head;    -   rotationally secured anchoring of the brush head on the bearing        pin; as well as    -   adjusting the play between the brush head and the attachment        brush housing.

Electrical toothbrushes, as are present for example here, are oftenprovided with electronic functions which permit an improved oral hygieneor a better application of the toothbrush for the user. Moreover, suchfunctions also avoid an incorrect handling of the toothbrush which canlead to damage to the gums and teeth.

One example of such a function is the pressing pressure control, afunction which signalises to the user when he is exerting too muchpressure onto the teeth with the toothbrush during use. For this, e.g.an (upper) limit value for the pressing pressure is set, the exceedingof which is displayed by the toothbrush.

The subsequently described function of a pressing pressure control isrealised together with a control unit and can be implemented in the samemanner for oscillating as well as for sonic toothbrushes (as initiallyexplained and defined).

It is expressly pointed out that the described electrical function canbe realised in the context of the movement course of the drive andattachment brush and these systems must be matched to one another.Herein, the detailed mechanical design of the drive and the attachmentbrush although tending to playing a minor role, the described movementtransformation from the drive up to the brush head must be essentiallykept to.

Herein, the control unit in particular is accommodated in thetoothbrush. The control unit however can also be accommodated on amobile device which receives corresponding measured values, e.g. theelectricity consumption, from the toothbrush.

The measurement of the effective pressing pressure by way of the controlunit entails the most varied of factors of the actual electricaltoothbrush or of the hand part and of the attachment brush having to betaken into account. For example, the different components for theoperation, such as e.g. motor, gear and of course also the attachmentbrush part, are provided with tolerances, and there are differentfriction values between the components. Furthermore, the attachmentbrush parts are exposed for example to toothpaste and saliva during use,and the attachment brush parts also have a certain wear on use.

This finally means that no rigid, non-dynamic function can be realised.Each device at every point in time and in each attachment brushcombination is individual with regard to its characteristics, such aspressing pressure.

The present function according to the invention is based on the factthat different pressing pressures cause a different electricityconsumption. Herein, the electricity consumption relates to theelectricity consumption of the motor for driving the brush headmovement.

Specifically, the electricity consumption correlates to the mechanicaltorque and this correlates to the pressing pressure. The relationshipbetween pressing pressure and electricity consumption is given in thismanner. The relation between pressing pressure and electricityconsumption can be represented by a characteristic line. The relationbetween the pressing pressure and the electricity consumption inparticular is essentially linear.

The characteristic line of the pressing pressure with respect to theelectricity consumption of the toothbrush is defined on manufacturingthe toothbrush. The characteristic line represents a straight line witha starting point and a gradient, wherein the starting point correspondsto the freewheel operation, in which no pressing pressure prevails.

The variable which is required later for determining the pressingpressure is merely the gradient of the characteristic line, since thestarting point, i.e. the electricity consumption given freewheeloperation, is constantly determined afresh on using the toothbrush. Thisis due to the aforementioned temporally changing factors, such as wear,friction values, etc., which have an influence on the characteristics ofthe toothbrush or its components and therefore on the relation betweenthe pressing pressure and the electricity consumption.

Two points of the straight line are measured for determining thegradient. This on the one hand is the electricity consumption infreewheel of the hand device with the attachment brush part and on theother a hand the electricity consumption of the hand device with theattachment brush part in the loaded state (pressing pressure is exertedupon the bristle field). The loaded state in this case corresponds tothe (upper) limit value for triggering the pressing pressure signal(i.e. the maximally allowable pressing pressure).

These measurements are carried out in a measuring device or calibrationdevice, to which the hand device is connected or inserted. Herein, themeasuring device preferably simulates the attachment brush andaccordingly the pressing pressure. On account of this, one can preventthe used attachment brush wearing down and an incorrect base value(gradient of the characteristic line) from resulting.

The measured variable, i.e. the gradient of the straight line, is storedor kept in the toothbrush or the control unit and is a device-specificvariable. This means that each toothbrush is calibrated individually.

The setting of the gradient of the characteristic line, i.e. thecalibration, is therefore effected before the sale of the toothbrush. Itcan be considered as part of the manufacturing process.

On application of the toothbrush by the user, the starting point of thestraight line in the electricity consumption—pressing pressure diagram(characteristic line) is now determined in a continuous manner, i.e. inparticular with each (new) start of the toothbrush. This corresponds ineach case to the lowest measured electricity consumption in (freewheel)operation. This is continuously read out since the lowest electricityconsumption (freewheel operation) also changes in operation. This beingdue to the fact that the friction values also continuously change.

In particular, the starting point is determined with each starting ofthe electrical toothbrush. On starting the toothbrush, this valuespecifically represents an unloaded value since the toothbrush is notstarted in a loaded manner in the normal case, thus is in freewheeloperation (starting point).

By way of determining the starting point of the straight line, thepoint, i.e. the electricity consumption for activating the pressingpressure signalisation is simultaneously defined. This is effected byway of using the characteristic line with the predefined gradient andreading out the electricity consumption at the intersection point withthe (upper) limit value for the pressing pressure.

If it is now determined, at which electricity consumption the mentionedlimit value for the pressing pressure is reached, then the pressingpressure can be monitored with regard to the reaching of the (upper)limit value by way of continuous measurement of the electricityconsumption during the use of the toothbrush.

This means that the straight line with the gradient which is previouslydetermined in the measuring device is set by the (electricityconsumption) measurement value or reading which is determined at thedevice given unloaded starting operation. The electricity consumptionwhich is necessary for activating the pressing pressure signalisationcan be derived from this and be compared to the actual electricityconsumption.

On operation, the electricity consumption is then continuously measured.If now the point for triggering the pressing pressure signalisation(exceeding a limit value of the pressing pressure) is exceeded, then asignal is outputted.

In this manner, the pressing pressure can be reliably detected in themost different of operating and product states and the reaching orexceeding can be signalised to the user.

The pressing pressure signalisation can be effected via the device, i.e.toothbrush. The pressing pressure signalisation can also be effected viaa mobile device, e.g. with a display, which is connected to thetoothbrush in particular in a wireless manner.

Examples for the pressing pressure signalisation in the visual field arethe lighting of a lamp, displaying on a display, and in the acousticfield are sounds or in the mechanical field a change of the operatingfrequency of the electrical toothbrush (vibration).

The limit value of the pressing pressure lies between 150 g and 600 g,preferably between 200 g and 400 g.

The method which is described above with regard to the pressing pressurecontrol or pressing pressure signalisation is furthermore basicallyapplicable to body care brushes.

The attachment brush part according to the invention is used forelectrical body care brushes, such as facial brushes, and veryparticularly for electrical toothbrushes. However, the attachment brushpart according to the invention can also be applied for electricalhousehold brushes.

The subject-matter of the invention is hereinafter explained in moredetail by way of embodiment examples which are represented in theaccompanying drawings. There are shown in:

FIG. 1a : a view of an electrical toothbrush according to the inventionfrom the side;

FIG. 1b : a view of the electrical toothbrush according to FIG. 1a fromthe rear side;

FIG. 1c : a perspective view of the electrical toothbrush according toFIG. 1a from the front side;

FIG. 2a : a view of an attachment brush part for an electricaltoothbrush according to FIG. 1a-1c from the front side;

FIG. 2b : a view of the attachment brush part according to FIG. 2a fromthe side;

FIG. 2c : a view of the attachment brush part according to FIG. 2a fromthe rear side

FIG. 2d : a perspective view of the attachment brush part according toFIG. 2a from the rear side;

FIG. 2e : a view of the attachment brush part according to FIG. 2a frombelow;

FIG. 2f : a perspective view of the attachment brush part according toFIG. 2a from the front side;

FIG. 2g : a view of the attachment brush part according to FIG. 2a fromabove;

FIG. 3a : a perspective view of an attachment brush housing for anattachment brush part according to FIGS. 2a-2g from the front side;

FIG. 3b : a perspective view of the attachment brush housing accordingto FIG. 3a from the rear side;

FIG. 3c : a perspective view of the attachment brush housing accordingto FIG. 3a from the front side;

FIG. 3d : a view of the attachment brush housing according to FIG. 3afrom the side;

FIG. 3e : a view of the attachment brush housing according to FIG. 3afrom the rear side;

FIG. 3f : a cross-sectional view of the attachment brush housingaccording to FIG. 3a along the plane A-A in FIG. 3 c;

FIG. 3g : a cross-sectional view of the attachment brush housingaccording to FIG. 3a along the plane B-B in FIG. 3 d;

FIG. 4a : a perspective view of a bearing pin for an attachment brushpart according to FIG. 2a -2 g;

FIG. 4b : a view of the bearing pin according to FIG. 4a from the side;

FIG. 5a : a perspective view of a securing element for an attachmentbrush part according to FIG. 2a-2g obliquely from below;

FIG. 5b : a further perspective view of the securing element accordingto FIG. 5a obliquely from above;

FIG. 5c : a view of the securing element according to FIG. 5a from thefront;

FIG. 5d : a view of the securing element according to FIG. 5a from theside;

FIG. 5e : a view of the securing element according to FIG. 5a from therear;

FIG. 5f : a front view of the securing element according to FIG. 5a fromabove;

FIG. 5g : a further front view of the securing element according to FIG.5a from below;

FIG. 6a : a perspective view of a drive rod for an attachment brush partaccording to FIG. 2a-2g obliquely from below;

FIG. 6b : a perspective view of the drive rod according to FIG. 6aobliquely from above;

FIG. 6c : a front view of the drive rod according to FIG. 6a from above;

FIG. 6d : a further front view of the drive rod according to FIG. 6afrom below;

FIG. 6e : a view of the drive rod according to FIG. 6a from the front;

FIG. 6f : a further view of the drive rod according to FIG. 6a from theside;

FIG. 6g : a further view of the drive from according to FIG. 6a from therear;

FIG. 7a : a perspective view of a brush head for an attachment brushpart according to FIG. 2a-2g obliquely from the rear;

FIG. 7b : a further perspective view of the brush head according to FIG.7a obliquely from the front;

FIG. 7c : a view of the brush head according to FIG. 7a from the side;

FIG. 7d : a view of the brush head according to FIG. 7a from the front;

FIG. 7e : a further view of the brush head according to FIG. 7a from therear;

FIG. 8a : a view of the attachment brush part according to FIG. 2a-2gwhich is stuck onto the hand part, from the front;

FIG. 8b : a view of the attachment brush part according to FIG. 8a fromthe side;

FIG. 8c : a perspective view of the attachment brush part according toFIG. 8a obliquely from the rear without an attachment brush housing;

FIG. 8d : a cross-sectional view of the attachment brush part accordingto FIG. 8a along the plane A-A;

FIG. 8e : a cross section of the attachment brush part according to FIG.8b along the plane B-B;

FIG. 8f : a cross-sectional view of the attachment brush part accordingto FIG. 8b along the plane E-E;

FIG. 9: a view of the brush head according to the invention from thefront;

FIG. 10a : a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment variant of abrush head along the plane A-A according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 10b a perspective view of the brush head according to FIG. 10obliquely from the rear;

FIG. 10c : a perspective view of the brush head according to FIG. 10aobliquely from the front;

FIG. 10d : a detail view B according to FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 11a : an exploded view of a second embodiment variant of a brushhead obliquely from the rear;

FIG. 11b : the exploded view of the brush head according to FIG. 11aobliquely from the front;

FIG. 11c : a cross-sectional view of the brush head according to FIG.11a along the plane A-A according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11d : a detail view B according to FIG. 11 c;

FIG. 12a : an exploded view of a third embodiment variant of a brushhead obliquely from the rear;

FIG. 12b : the exploded view of the brush head according to FIG. 12aobliquely from the front;

FIG. 12c : a cross-sectional view of the brush head according to FIG.12a along the plane A-A according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 12d : a detail view B according to FIG. 12 c;

FIG. 13a : an exploded view of a fourth embodiment variant of a brushhead obliquely from the rear;

FIG. 13b : the exploded view of the brush head according to FIG. 13aobliquely from the front;

FIG. 13c : a cross-sectional view of the brush head according to FIG.13a along the plane A-A according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 13d : a detailed view B according to FIG. 13 c;

FIG. 14a : a view of a further embodiment of a brush head according tothe invention, from the front;

FIG. 14b : a cross-sectional view of the brush head along the plane A-Aaccording to FIG. 14 a;

FIG. 14c : a perspective view of the brush head according to FIG. 14aobliquely from the rear;

FIG. 14d : a perspective view of the brush head according to FIG. 14aobliquely from the front;

FIG. 15a : a perspective view of a further embodiment of a brush headaccording to the invention obliquely from the front;

FIG. 15b : a view of the brush head according to FIG. 15a from the side;

FIG. 15c : a view of the brush head according to FIG. 15a from thefront;

FIG. 16a : a perspective view of an attachment brush housing for anattachment brush part according to FIG. 2a-2g from the front side;

FIG. 16b : a perspective view of an attachment brush housing accordingto FIG. 16a from the rear side;

FIG. 16c : a view of an attachment brush housing according to FIG. 16afrom the front side;

FIG. 16d : a view of the attachment brush housing according to FIG. 16afrom the side;

FIG. 16e : a view of the attachment brush part according to FIG. 16afrom the rear side;

FIG. 16f : a cross-sectional view of the attachment brush housingaccording to FIG. 16a along the plane A-A in FIG. 16 c;

FIG. 16g : a cross-sectional view of the attachment brush housingaccording to FIG. 16a along the plane B-B in FIG. 16 d;

FIG. 17a : a perspective view of a securing element for an attachmentbrush part according to FIG. 2a-2g obliquely from below;

FIG. 17b : a further perspective view of a securing element according toFIG. 17a obliquely from above;

FIG. 17c : a view of a securing element according to FIG. 17a from thefront;

FIG. 17d : a view of the securing element according to FIG. 17a from theside;

FIG. 17e : a view of the securing element according to FIG. 17a from therear;

FIG. 17f : a front view of the securing element according to FIG. 17afrom above;

FIG. 17g : a further front view of the securing element according toFIG. 17a from below;

FIG. 18a : a perspective view of a drive rod for an attachment brushpart according to FIG. 2a-2g obliquely from below;

FIG. 18b : a perspective view of the drive rod according to FIG. 18aobliquely from above;

FIG. 18c : a front view of the drive rod according to FIG. 18a fromabove;

FIG. 18d : a further front view of the drive rod according to FIG. 18afrom below;

FIG. 18e : a view of the drive rod according to FIG. 18a from the front;

FIG. 18f : a further view of the drive rod according to FIG. 18 from theside;

FIG. 18g : a further view of the drive rod according to FIG. 18a fromthe rear;

FIG. 19: a view of a further embodiment of a brush head from the front;

FIG. 20: a view of a further embodiment of a brush head from the front:

FIG. 21a : a perspective view of a further embodiment of a brush headobliquely from the front;

FIG. 21b : a view of the brush head according to FIG. 21a from thefront;

FIG. 22a : a perspective view of a further embodiment of a brush headobliquely from the front;

FIG. 22b : a view of the brush head according to FIG. 22a from thefront;

FIG. 23a : a perspective view of a further embodiment of a brush headobliquely from the front;

FIG. 23b : a view of the brush head according to FIG. 23a from thefront;

FIG. 24a : a perspective view of a further embodiment of a brush headobliquely from the front;

FIG. 24b : a view of the brush head according to FIG. 24a from thefront;

FIG. 24c : a further view of the brush head according to FIG. 24a fromthe front, with certain coloured bristle bundles;

FIG. 25: a view of a further embodiment of a brush head from the front.

The present invention is not restricted to the embodiments which arerepresented in the Figures. The embodiments which are shown in thefigures are merely exemplary.

Within the framework of the invention, the individual features and theassociated functions of individual embodiments can be combined withother embodiments inasmuch as this is technically meaningful, withoutdeparting from the framework of this invention. The descriptionsconcerning specific figures can of course also be conferred upon otherfigures which display the same or similar manifestations and in whichthe manifestations are not described in the same detail.

Basically, in the figures, the same parts are provided with the samereference numerals.

FIGS. 1a to 1c show an electrical toothbrush 1 according to theinvention. This is composed of a hand part 10 as well as of anattachment brush part 2 which can be stuck onto the hand part 10 in amanner such that it can be released from this again. The attachmentbrush part 2 amongst other things comprises an oscillatorily rotatablymounted brush head 61.

The hand part 10 amongst other things comprises a grip body 11 with agrip body housing 15. In the FIGS. 8d and 8e , the coupling nub 12 aswell as the control pin 13 which exits from the coupling nub 12, and thegrip body housing 15 can be deduced from the cross-sectional view.

The electrical toothbrush 1 has a longitudinal axis L.

The FIGS. 2a to 2g show an attachment brush part 2 with an oscillatorilyrotatable brush head 61, as can be applied in an electrical toothbrush 1according to FIG. 1a-1c or FIG. 8a -8 f.

The attachment brush part 2 further comprises an attachment brushhousing 21 with a housing head 42 and a housing neck 22. The housingneck 22 is designed in a conical manner and tapers to the brush head 61.

Slot-like through-openings 33, 50 are provided in the housing wall, inthe housing neck 22 as well as in the housing head 42. These serve forthe passage of water on cleaning the attachment brush part 2.

A slot-like through-opening 33 is provided in the housing neck 22towards the housing head 42, on the front side and the rear side of theattachment brush part 2.

Furthermore, three slot-like through-openings 50 are arranged on therear side of the housing head 42. The three through-openings 50 aredesigned in an arched manner and are arranged concentrically about thecarrier rotation axis T.

Three annular withdrawal ribs 34 are arranged on the outer side of thehousing neck 22. The withdrawal ribs 34 which are arrangedconcentrically to the control rotation axis S form a grip aid and givethe user they required retention for withdrawing the attachment brushpart 2 from the hand part 10.

Furthermore, a spring-elastic latching tongue 31 with a latching lug isarranged on the rear side in the housing wall of the housing neck 22towards a hand-part-side receiver opening 29. The latching tongue 31 isexposed via a U-shaped slot in the housing wall. The latching tongue 31serves for the axial securing of a securing element 121 which isinserted into the housing neck 22 via the hand-part-side receiveropening 29.

The brush head 61 forms a three-part bristle field with a plurality ofbristle bundles 81, 82 which each comprise care bristles 81, saidbristle field being arranged on a bristle carrier 62. A part of thebristle field with bristle bundles 81 which is at the top and a partwhich is at the bottom in the neutral position of the brush head 61 isdesigned in the form of a circle segment or arc section (asrepresented). A middle part of the bristle field with bristle bundles 82consists of two parallel rows of bristle bundles 82. The bristle bundles81 of the upper and the lower parts of the bristle field project beyondthe bristles bundles 82 of the middle part.

A securing element 121 is inserted into the hand-part-side receiveropening 29 of the housing neck 22 and is fixed in the housing neck. Thesecuring element 121 at its hand-part-side end comprises an annularinsert limitation flange 124. The outer periphery of the insertlimitation flange 124 in the assembled state is flush with theconnecting outer periphery of the housing neck 22, into which thesecuring element 121 is inserted.

The insert limitation flange 124 amongst other things has the functionof an insert limitation which is to prevent the securing element 121being pushed too far into the housing neck 22. The insert limitation iseffected by way of the insert imitation flange 124 of the securingelement 121 abutting/bearing on the face end surface 28 which surroundsthe hand-part-side receiver opening 29.

The securing element 121 which is inserted into the housing neck 22serves for the radial securing or alignment of the hand-part-side endsection of the drive rod 91. Furthermore, the securing element 121serves for the axial securing or fixation and positioning of the driverod 91 in the housing neck 22, so that this cannot fall out of thehousing neck 22.

Moreover, the securing element 121 forms a hand-part-side sleeve section123 with a nub receiver 127 which has the function of a coupling sectionfor receiving the coupling nub 12 of the hand part 10.

The securing element is described in yet more detail in the context ofFIGS. 5a -5 g.

FIGS. 3a to 3g show an attachment brush housing 21 with a housing neck22 and with a housing head 42 which connects to the housing neck at thebrush head side.

The housing neck 22 is a tubular body with a continuous receiver whichat the hand part side ends in the receiver opening 29 and at the brushhead side runs out in the bristle carrier receiver 43 of the housinghead 42.

The housing neck 22 serves for receiving the drive rod 91 as well as thesecuring element 121 (see also FIGS. 8d and 8e ).

The housing neck 22 comprises a hand-part-side first receiving section23 which connects onto the hand-part-side receiver opening 29 in thedirection of the brush head 61, for receiving the securing element 121.Furthermore, a brush-head-side second receiving section 24 for receivingthe drive rod 91 connects onto the first receiving section 23 in thedirection of the brush head 61 (see also FIGS. 8d and 8e ).

A pin receiver body 25 with a pin receiver 26 for receiving the bearingpin 96 of a drive rod 91 which is yet described further below isarranged on the brush-head-side end of the second receiving section 24.The pin receiver body 25 is arranged on the rear-side housing wall andprojects from this into the second receiving section 24. Furthermore,the pin receiver body 25 with a longitudinal section projects into thebristle carrier receiver 43 of the housing head 42.

The pin receiver 26 is designed as a blind hole and comprises alongitudinal axis which lies in the control rotation axis S. The pinreceiver 26 forms a hand-part-side pin receiver opening.

Two through-openings 32 which are arranged opposite one another arearranged in the section 23, 24, in the housing wall of the housing neck22. These serve for receiving the latching lugs 131 on the latchingtongues 130 on the securing element 121, which are yet described in moredetail further below (see also FIG. 8d ).

Furthermore, the slot-like through-openings 33, 50 in the housing wallof the attachment brush housing 21 which have already been describedwith regard to FIGS. 2a-2g and permit the passage of water for cleaningthe attachment brush part 2 are represented in the housing neck 22 aswell as in the housing head 42.

Moreover, the withdrawal ribs 34 which have already been described withregard to the FIGS. 2a-2g are represented on the outer side of thehousing neck 22.

The housing head 42 forms a beaker-like bristle carrier receiver 43which is open towards the front side via a carrier receiver opening 44.The bristle carrier receiver 43 serves for receiving the function unit64 of the bristle carrier 62 which is yet described further below.

The carrier receiver opening 44 is delimited by a peripheral face endsurface 45 which has different widths along its circular outerperiphery. The different widths of the face end surface 45 are based ondifferent wall thicknesses in the housing head 42.

A mounting sleeve 47 with a feed-through opening 48 for leading througha bearing pin 111 which is yet described hereinafter, from the rear sideof the housing head 42, is arranged in the bristle carrier receiver 43.

The mounting sleeve 47 forms a peripheral, annulus-shaped stop shoulder51 which is directed to the front side and which encompasses acylinder-shaped end section 52 of the mounting sleeve. The stop shoulder51 lies in one plane with a face end surface of the limitation cam 46which is directed to the brush head 61.

The cylinder-shaped end section 52 of the bearing sleeve 47 engages intoa cylinder receiver 70 on the function unit 64, said cylinder receiverbeing yet described hereinafter, and bears with the face end surface 69on a contact shoulder 68 which is likewise described hereinafter andwhich surrounds a bearing pin receiver 65 (see also FIG. 8f ).

A depression 49 for receiving the pin head 115 of the bearing pin 111 isprovided on the rear side of the housing head.

A cross-sectionally trapezoidally designed limitation cam 46 whichtapers from its free end (at the upper side) to its base on the mountingsleeve 47 is arranged in the bristle carrier receiver 43. The limitationcam 46 is arranged on the outer wall of the bearing sleeve 47 and isconnected to this. Starting from the mounting sleeve 47, the limitationcam 46 is directed along the control rotation axis S to the outermosthead end. The limitation cam 46 is moreover connected to the rear-sidehousing wall.

A connection rib 27 which connects the mentioned elements to one anotheris arranged between the mounting sleeve 47 and the already mentioned pinreceiver body 25. The connection rib 27 is moreover connected to therear-side housing wall.

The pin receiver 26 of the pin receiver body 25, the connection rib 27,the feed-through opening 48 of the mounting sleeve 47 and the limitationcam 46 are arranged in a common plane, in which the control rotationaxis S also lies.

The bearing pin 111 according to the FIGS. 4a and 4b comprises a pinshank 112 and a pin head 115 with a diameter which is larger compared tothe pin shank 112. The pin shank 112 in an end section comprises ananchoring section 113 with a plurality of cone-shaped anchoring elements114 which are arranged along a bearing pin axis G and which taper in thedirection of the free shank end.

The anchoring elements 114 serve for the axial and rotationally fixedanchoring of the anchoring section 113 in the bearing pin receiver 65 onthe bristle carrier 62.

In the assembled state, the bearing pin 111 is led from the rear side ofthe housing head 42 through the mounting sleeve 47 or the feed-throughopening 48 into the bristle carrier receiver 43 and engages with itsanchoring section 113 into the bearing pin receiver 65 of the bristlecarrier 62. The pin head 115 is recessed in the depression 49 on thehousing head 42 (see FIG. 8f ).

The securing element 121 according to FIGS. 5a-5g is designed in asleeve-like manner and forms a continuous sleeve cavity.

The securing element 121 comprises a brush-head-side, first sleevesection 122 for receiving and supporting the hand-part-side end sectionof the drive rod 91.

The first sleeve section 122 comprises an inner-lying, annularcross-sectional narrowing 128 in the form of an inner ring. The annularcross-sectional narrowing 128 forms an annular inner stop surface 125which faces the brush head 61. The inner stop surface 125 is orientatedperpendicularly to the control rotation axis S. Furthermore, the annularcross-sectional narrowing 128 forms a cylinder-shaped receiving section129 for receiving the stop cylinder 101 of the drive rod 91 which is yetdescribed further below.

The cylinder-shaped receiving section 129 serves for the pre-centring ofthe drive rod 91 via the stop cylinder 101 of the drive rod 91 whichengages into this. The diameter of the cylinder-shaped receiving section129 is larger than that of the stop cylinder 101 which engages intothis.

In this manner, the stop cylinder 101 is led with play in thecylinder-shaped receiving section 129, by which means no friction occursbetween the lateral cylinder surfaces.

The inner stop surface 125 serves for the mounting of a stop shoulder102 which is peripheral to the stop cylinder 101 and which is on thedrive rod 91 (see FIGS. 8d and 8e ).

Two oppositely lying latching tongues 130 each with an outwardlydirected latching lug 131 are arranged in the sleeve wall of the firstsleeve section 122. The latching tongues 130 which are directed in thedirection of the brush head 61 are exposed out of the sleeve wall viaslot-like openings. The latching tongues 130 or the latching lugs 131serve for the axial securing of the securing element 121 on the housingneck 22 by way of the mentioned latching lugs 131 engaging into thealready mentioned through-openings 32 on the housing neck 22 (see FIG.8d ).

Furthermore, the securing element 121 comprises a hand-part-side, secondsleeve section 123 with a nub receiver 127 for receiving the couplingnub 12 of the hand part 91. The second sleeve section 123 thus forms acoupling section.

The securing element 121 consequently also serves for the connection ofthe attachment brush part 2 to the hand part 10. The nub receiver 127has an inner geometry which is adapted to the cross-sectional geometryof the coupling nub 12.

The nub receiver 127 in the region of the nub receiver opening 133comprises a funnel-like widening 132 which serves an insert aid for thecoupling nub 12.

The nub receiver 127 further comprises displacement ribs 135 which servefor creating a well pronounced press fit. The displacement ribs 135 runparallel to the longitudinal axis L of the body care brush or theattachment direction.

The outer surfaces of the sleeve sections 122, 123 are designedconically and taper towards the brush head 61. The insertability of thesecuring element 121 into the conically designed housing neck 22 isensured by way of this.

A more pronounced tapering which is designed in the form of a step or anannularly peripheral cone surface can be designed in the direction ofthe brush-side sleeve section in the transition region from thehand-part-side to the brush-side sleeve section.

The outer surface of the securing element 121 can further comprises ribs134 which extend over both sleeve sections 122, 123. The ribs 134 arealigned essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the bodycare brush. The ribs can merge towards the brush-side first sleevesection 122 into the latching tongues 130.

Furthermore, the securing element 121 at its hand-part-side end in theregion of the nub relieving opening 133 comprises an annular insertlimitation flange 124 which has already been described further above.The insert limitation flange 124, as already mentioned, ensures that thesecuring element 121 is not pushed completely into the housing neck 22.

The drive rod 91 according to FIGS. 6a-6g comprises a hand-part-side endsection 94 as well as a brush-head-side end section 95.

The drive rod 91 at the hand-part-side end section 94 comprises acontrol pin receiver 99 for receiving the end section of the control pin13. The drive rod 91 is designed in a tubular manner in this section.The longitudinal axis of the control pin receiver 99 lies on the controlrotation axis S.

The control pin receiver 99 comprises a circular-cylinder-shaped basiccross section. In the brush-head-side end section, the control pinreceiver 99 has a circle-segment-shaped cross-sectional narrowing 100with respect to the circular basic cross section. This ensures apositive receiving of the control pin 13 in the control pin receiver 99and thus a rotational lock (see FIGS. 8d and 8e ).

Furthermore, the drive rod 91 in the region of the control pin receiver99 comprises a spring-elastic pressing tongue 103 which is arranged inthe wall of the control pin receiver 99. This presses against thecontrol pin 13 which is inserted into the control pin receiver 99 andclamps this in the control pin receiver 99.

The pressing tongue 103 is exposed out of the wall of the control pinreceiver 99 by way of a slot-like opening.

Furthermore, the drive rod 91 in the hand-part-side end section 94comprises an annular stop cylinder 101 in the form of a hollow cylinder,in the extension of the control pin receiver 99. The stop cylinder 101has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the receivingsection of the drive rod 91 which connects thereto and which is with thecontrol pin receiver 99. Accordingly, a peripheral stop shoulder 102 isformed in the transition from the receiving section to the stop cylinder101.

The function of the stop cylinder 101 and of the associated stopshoulder 102 has already been explained in the context of thedescription of the securing element 121.

For transmitting an oscillating rotation movement from the drive rod 91onto the brush head 61, said movement having being introduced from thecontrol pin 13 into the drive rod 91, the drive rod 91 at itsbrush-head-side end section comprises a first toothing 92 with two teeth92.1 for meshing into a second toothing 66 on the bristle carrier 62 ofthe brush head 61 which is described further below.

The first toothing 92 which is directed to the front side, with thesecond toothing 66 of the bristle carrier 62 forms a drive toothing forthis.

The face end surfaces of the two teeth 92.1 of the first toothing 92,via which the meshing with the teeth 66.1 of the second toothing 66 iseffected, have an inclination with respect to the control rotation axisS.

The drive rod 91 at its brush-head-side end section 95 further forms abearing pin 96, whose longitudinal axis runs in the control rotationaxis S. In the assembled state, the bearing pin 96 is rotatably mountedin the pin receiver 26 of the attachment brush housing 21 (see FIGS. 8dand 8e ), as already mentioned.

The drive rod 91 is consequently rotatably mounted and axially as wellas radially secured with its brush-head-side end section 95 on theattachment brush housing 21 via the bearing pin 96 and with itshand-part-side end section 94 on the securing element 121 via the stopcylinder 101 with the stop shoulder 102 (see FIG. 8c as well as 8 d and8 e).

The drive rod 91 in a brush-head-side end section 95 now forms across-sectional recess which is delimited to the hand-part-side endsection by a bearing pin shoulder 97. The bearing pin 96 is now arrangedon this bearing pin shoulder 97.

The aforementioned first toothing 92 is arranged on the brush-head-sideend of a rod continuation 98, said rod continuation starting from thebearing pin shoulder 97 extending in the direction of thebrush-head-side end. The rod continuation 98 runs parallel to thebearing pin 96. A recess is provided between the rod continuation 98 andthe bearing pin 96.

The bearing pin 96 comprises a conical base, via which this is connectedto the bearing pin shoulder 97.

A cylindrical middle section as well as a conically tapering free endsection connects to the cone-shaped base (see in particular FIGS. 6f and6g ).

The bearing pin 96 is arranged behind the first toothing 92 consideredfrom the front side.

The drive rod 91 further comprises a curvature (see FIG. 6f ). A firsthand-part-side longitudinal section of the drive rod 91, encompassingthe hand-part-side end section 94, runs parallel to the control rotationaxis S, whilst a second brush-head-side longitudinal section is inclinedtowards the front side with respect to the control rotation axis S.

A brush-head-side end section 95 however again runs parallel withrespect to the control rotation axis S. This means that the arcuatesection is arranged between the hand-part-side longitudinal section ofthe drive rod 91, encompassing the hand-part-side end section 94, andthe brush-head-side end section 95.

The drive rod 91 at its front side in the region of the control pinreceiver 99 further comprises a flattening 104 on the outer periphery.The flattening 104 serves as an assembly aid and simplifies the correctalignment or positioning of the drive rod 91 with respect to itsrotation axis before the assembly.

The brush head 61 according to FIGS. 7a-7e comprises a bristle carrier62 as well as bristle bundles 81, 82 which are arranged on the frontside of the bristle carrier 62 and which each comprise care bristles.

The bristle carrier 62 in turn comprises a carrier body 72 as well as afunction unit 64 which is arranged on the rear side of the carrier body72.

The carrier body 72 comprise a bristle anchoring body 63, on which thecare bristles or bristle bundles 81, 82 are anchored or fastened.

The care bristles or bristle bundles 81, 82 can be anchored in thebristle anchoring body 63 in different manner. Accordingly, the carrierbody 72 can also be constructed differently. Particular embodiments ofcarrier bodies 72 with a bristle anchoring body 63 as well as of carebristles or bristle bundles 81, 82 or function elements which arearranged on this body are described further below by way of FIGS. 10 to15.

The function unit 64 amongst other things comprises a second toothing66. The second toothing 66 consists of three teeth 66.1 which arearranged on the rear side of the bristle anchoring body 63. The teeth66.1 are arranged in a radiant or radially running manner, departingfrom the carrier rotation axis T.

The face end surfaces of the second teeth 66.1, via which the meshing ofthe first teeth 92.1 is effected, have an inclination with respect tothe carrier rotation axis T.

The function unit 64 further comprises a rotation angle limitationdevice for the brush head, with two lateral stops 67 for the limitationcam 46 which is already described further above. The lateral stops 67are arranged above the second toothing 66.

In the assembled state of the brush head 61, the limitation cam 46 isarranged between the two lateral stops 67. The bristle carrier 62 is nowonly rotatable about a defined rotation angle W which is defined by theabutting of the lateral stops 67 on the limitation cam 46. In theneutral position, the limitation cam 46 lies precisely between the twolateral stops 67.

The lateral stops 67 are connected to one another via acircular-arc-shaped guide wall 71. The guide wall 71 is arrangedconcentrically to the carrier rotation axis T or to the bearing pinreceiver 65.

The lateral stops 67 and the circular-arc-shaped guide wall 71 projectbeyond the second toothing 66 along the carrier rotation axis T.

The function unit 64 moreover comprises a bearing pin receiver 65 whichis open to the rear side, for receiving the anchoring section 113 of thebearing pin 111 which has already been described further above. Thebearing pin receiver 65 is designed as a blind hole. This means that thebearing pin receiver 65 is not open towards the front side of thecarrier body 72 but in contrast ends in the bristle anchoring body 63.

The lateral stops 67 are arranged laterally of the bearing pin receiver(with respect to the longitudinal axis L) in the neutral position of thebristle carrier 62. The longitudinal axis of the bearing pin receiver 65lies in the carrier rotation axis T.

The function unit 64 moreover forms an annular contact shoulder 68 whichsurrounds the opening of the bearing pin receiver 65. The annularcontact shoulder 68 is delimited by an annular wall which forms acylinder receiver 70. The annular contact shoulder 68 serves for theresting contact of the bristle carrier 62 on the mounting sleeve 47 ofthe housing head 42.

For this, the bristle carrier 62 bears on the face end surface of thecylinder-shaped end section 52 of the bearing sleeve 47 via the contactsurface of the contact shoulder 68. In the assembled state, the cylinderreceiver 70 with the annular wall engages over the cylinder-shaped endsection 52 of the bearing sleeve 47 and thus ensures an adequatecentring of the bristle carrier 62 on the housing head 42 before theassembly of the bearing pin 111 (see FIG. 8f ).

The design according to the invention has the advantage that pressingforces which act upon the brush part 61 are introduced into the mountingsleeve via the annular contact shoulder 68 and in this manner into thehousing head 42.

FIGS. 10 to 13 show different embodiment variants of brush heads 161,261, 361 concerning which the bristling is effected in each case by wayof the so-called AFT method. The AFT method has already been describedin detail in the general description part and is therefore no longerdescribed here.

Since the front view of a brush head is the same for all of theembodiment examples of brush heads which are represented in the figuresof the present patent application, with regard to reference to thecross-sectional view along the plane A-A in FIG. 9, one forgoesrepresenting a separate front view of a brush head for each embodiment.

Rather, FIG. 9 is referred to with regard to this, which shows a frontview of a brush head 61 as is the case for all of the embodimentexamples of brush heads which are represented in the figures of thepresent patent application.

Since the function unit 64 of the embodiment variants according to FIG.10-13 is identical in each case, and this corresponds to the functionunit 64 according to the embodiment example according to FIG. 7a-7e ,here the function unit 64 is not described any further. Rather thedescription concerning FIGS. 7a-7e is referred to.

The mentioned embodiment variants according to FIG. 10-13 each comprisea carrier body 172, 272, 372 which is composed of a base element 171,271, 371 and a bristle anchoring body 163, 263, 363 which is stuck ontothis and is connected to the base element 171, 271, 371.

The bristle anchoring body 163, 263, 363 at its bristle anchoring sidewhich lies opposite the front side comprise a peripheral connection edge174, 274, 374 which projects in the direction of the base element 171,271, 371 and which accordingly encompasses a deepening. The bristle endswhich are anchored on the bristle anchoring body 163, 263, 363 arearranged in the deepening. The bristle anchoring body 163, 263, 363forms a U-shaped cross section.

The already mentioned function unit 64 is arranged on the rear side ofthe mentioned base element 171, 271, 371.

The base element 171, 271, 371 for its part comprises a peripheral edge175, 275, 375 which forms a connection contact surface to the projectingconnection edge 174, 274, 374 of the bristle anchoring body 163, 263,363.

According to the embodiment variant according to FIG. 10a-10d , theconnection contact surface of the peripheral edge 175 of the baseelement 171 is designed in a plane manner and is arrangedperpendicularly to the carrier rotation axis T.

The peripheral, projecting connection edge 174 on the bristle anchoringbody 163 forms a plane face end surface which is likewise arrangedperpendicularly to the carrier rotation axis T. The bristle anchoringbody 163 is now connected to the base element 171 via the face endsurface of the projecting connection edge 174 which lies on theconnection contact surface.

The connection between the face end surface and the connection contactsurface is effected by way of (plastic) welding, such as ultrasonicwelding.

For this, melt elements 173 are arranged on the face end surface. Themelt elements 173 project beyond the face end surface and are melted onwelding. In this manner, the melt elements 173 provide additionalplastic material for creating the weld connection. The melt elements173, 273, 373 are represented schematically, so that these are alsovisible in the melted state.

The peripheral edge 175 of the base element 171 encloses atruncated-cone-shaped body 176 which is directed towards the bristleanchoring body 163. This is characterised by a flank 177 which departingfrom the peripheral edge 175 is inclined towards the centre, as well asby a plane surface 178 which is raised with regard to the peripheraledge 175 and which is enclosed by the inclined flank 177. Thetruncated-cone-shaped body 176 serves for centring the bristle anchoringbody 163 on the base element 171.

The bristle anchoring body 163 lies on the base element 171 merely viathe face end surface of the projecting connection edge 174 on theperipheral edge 175. A cavity is formed between the base element 171 andthe bristle anchoring body 163, within the peripheral edge 175.

According to a further development of the embodiment variant accordingto FIG. 10a-10c , so-called positioning aids 179, 180 are arranged onthe bristle anchoring body 163 and the base element 171, wherein thesepermit the bristle anchoring body 163 to be positioned on the baseelement 171 at a defined angular position about the carrier rotationaxis T (see FIGS. 11a-11d ).

The positioning aids are pairings of positioning ribs 179 andpositioning notches 180, wherein these pairings are matched to oneanother and positively mesh into one another on depositing the bristleanchoring body 163 onto the base element 171 at the correct angularposition.

A plurality of positioning ribs 179 are thus arranged on the bristleanchoring body 163 along the inner periphery of the projectingconnection edge 174, i.e. on its inner side, as well as a plurality ofpositioning notches 180 on the base element 171 along the outerperiphery of the truncated-cone-shaped body 176 in its inclined flank.

The described positioning aids 179, 180 have the characteristic that theface end surface of the projecting connection edge 174 of the bristleanchoring body 163 and the connection contact surface of the peripheraledge 175 of the base element 171, for the purpose of creating theconnection, do not meet one another until in the correct angularposition, which is say when the positioning aids 179, 189 mesh into oneanother.

According to the embodiment variant according to FIG. 12a-12d , theconnection contact surface of the peripheral edge 275 of the baseelement 271 is likewise designed in a plane manner and is arrangedperpendicularly to the carrier rotation axis T.

In contrast to the embodiment variant according to FIG. 10a-10d , theperipheral, projecting connection edge 274 on the bristle anchoring body263 comprises a peripheral step which is directed to the carrierrotation axis T and which departing from a face end surface forms acontact shoulder 267 which is with a shoulder surface and which is setback inwards along the carrier rotation axis T. The shoulder surface isdesigned in a plane manner and is arranged perpendicularly to thecarrier rotation axis T.

The base element 271 for its part comprises a peripheral edge 275 whichforms a connection contact surface for the shoulder surface on theprojecting connection edge 274 of the bristle anchoring body 263, saidconnection contact surface being arranged perpendicularly to the carrierrotation axis T. The bristle anchoring body 263 is then connected to thebase element 271 via the shoulder surface of the contact shoulder 276which lies on the connection contact surface of the peripheral edge 275.

The bristle anchoring body 263 lies on the base element 271 merely viathe shoulder surface of the contact shoulder 276 on the projectingconnection edge 274 via the peripheral edge 275. A cavity is formedwithin the peripheral edge 275, between the base element 271 and thebristle anchoring body 263.

The connection between the shoulder surface and the connection contactsurface is effected by way of (plastic) welding, such as ultrasoundwelding.

For this, melt elements 273 are arranged on the shoulder surface of thecontact shoulder 276. The melt elements 273 project beyond the shouldersurface and are melted on welding. In this manner, the melt elements 273provide additional plastic material for creating the weld connection.

Furthermore, the bristle anchoring body 263 with a peripheral, outerconnection edge section 277 which is delimited at the end side by a faceend surface and at the carrier side by the contact shoulder 276 engagesover the connection contact surface of the base element 271 at the outerside. The bristle anchoring body 263 with its outer connection edgesection 277 overlaps a peripheral surface 279 of the base element 271.

The outer connection edge section 277 serves for the centring of thebristle anchoring body 263 on the base element 271, by way of thisforming a centring surface 278 which faces the peripheral surface 279 ofthe base element 217 and which is aligned parallel to the carrierrotation axis T.

The peripheral surface 279 of the base element 271 which lies oppositethe outer connection edge section 277 of the bristle anchoring body 263or its centring surface 278 is designed in a conically tapering mannerin the direction of the bristle anchoring body 263.

According to the embodiment variant according to FIG. 13a-13d whichcorresponds to a modification of the embodiment variant according toFIG. 12a-12d , the peripheral surface on the base element 371 and whichlies opposite the outer connection edge section 377 of the bristleanchoring body 363 or its centring surface 378 is likewise designed in aconically tapering manner in the direction of the bristle anchoring body363, wherein the peripheral surface 379 of the base element 371 forms aconnection contact surface

The centring surface 378 of the outer connection edge section 377likewise comprises an inclination which corresponds to the inclinationof the peripheral surface 379 on the base element 371. In this manner,an extensive connection between the centring surface 378 and theperipheral surface 379 is formed on attaching the bristle anchoring body363 on the base element 371.

Here too, the connection between the centring surface 378 and theperipheral surface 379 is effected by way of (plastic) welding such asultrasound welding. For this, the melt elements 373 which are alreadydescribed further above are arranged in the peripheral surface 379.

Analogously to the embodiment variant according to FIG. 12a-12c , theperipheral, projecting connection edge 374 on the bristle anchoring body363 comprises a peripheral step which is directed to the carrierrotation axis T and which departing from a face end surface forms acontact shoulder 376 with a shoulder surface, said contact shoulderbeing set back inwards along the carrier rotation axis T. The shouldersurface 376 is designed in a plane manner and is arrangedperpendicularly to the carrier rotation axis T. In contrast to theembodiment variant according to FIG. 12a-12c , the contact shoulder 376here however is designed in a significantly narrower manner.

The base element 371 for its part comprises a peripheral edge 375 whichconnects onto the peripheral surface and which on the projectingconnection edge 374 of the bristle anchoring body 263 forms a connectioncontact surface for the shoulder surface on the contact shoulder 376.This is arranged perpendicularly to the carrier rotation axis T.

The bristle anchoring body 363 is now additionally connected to the baseelement 371 via the shoulder surface of the contact shoulder which lieson the connection contact surface. The connection corresponds to anaforementioned weld connection.

A cavity is likewise formed within the peripheral edge 375 of the baseelement 371, between the base element 371 and the bristle anchoring body363.

The aforedescribed second variant and its modification can also comprisepositioning aids for fixing a defined angular position of the bristleanchoring body.

It is of course possible to design the centring in a multi-step mannerwith all solutions according to FIGS. 10 to 13. This means that forexample several truncated-cone-shaped bodies with successively differentdiameters and heights can be realised, or that a centring via atruncated-cone-shaped body can be effected additionally to a centringtype.

The brush head 461 according to the embodiment according to FIG. 14a-14dis characterised by extensive, lamellae-shaped care elements 473 whichare anchored in the bristle carrier 462. The lamellae-shaped careelements 473 are designed in a wave-shaped or arched manner in a planview.

The brush head 561 according to the embodiment according to FIG. 15a-15cis characterised in that the bristle field is composed of anouter-lying, first circle 563 of bristle bundles 566, of a second circleof bristle bundles 567 which lies within the first circle 563 as well asof a centre region 565 with two bristle bundles 568. The two circles563, 564 of bristle bundles are arranged concentrically about thecarrier rotation axis T. The bristle bundles 566, 567, 568 each comprisea plurality of care bristles.

The bristle bundles 566 of the outer-lying first circle 563 have aninclination in the peripheral direction relative to the carrier rotationaxis T of 17°.

The bristle bundles 567 of the second circle 564 which lies within thefirst circle 563 likewise have an inclination in the peripheraldirection relative to the carrier rotation axis T of 8°. However, theinclination of the bristle bundles 567 of the second circle 564 isopposite to the inclination of the bristle bundles 566 of the firstcircle.

Both bristle bundles 568 in the centre region 565 are aligned parallelto the carrier rotation axis T.

The bristle length is different within the individual bristle bundle ofthe outer-lying circle 563 of bristle bundles to the extent that a stepis formed in the care-side end of the bristle bundles 566.

FIGS. 16a to 16g show a further attachment brush housing 621 with ahousing neck 622 and with a housing head 642 which connects to thehousing neck at the brush head side. With the exception of a certaindeviation which is explained further blow, the design correspondsessentially to FIGS. 3a to 3 g.

The housing neck 622 is a tubular body with a continuous receiver whichat the hand part side ends in the receiver opening 629 and at the brushhead side runs out in the bristle carrier receiver 643 of the housinghead 642.

The housing neck 622 serves for receiving the drive rod 91, 891 as wellas the securing element 121, 721 (see also FIGS. 8d and 8e ).

The housing neck 622 comprises a hand-part-side, first receiving section623 which connects onto the hand-part-side receiver opening 629 in thedirection of the brush head 61, for receiving the securing element 121.Furthermore, a brush-head-side second receiving section 624 forreceiving the drive rod 91, 891 connects onto the first receivingsection 623 in the direction of the brush head 61 (see also FIGS. 8d and8e ).

A pin receiver body 625 with a pin receiver 626 for receiving thebearing pin 96, 896 of an already described drive rod 91, 891 isarranged at the brush-head-side end of the second receiving section 624.The pin receiver body 625 is arranged on the rear-side housing wall andprojects from this into the second receiving section 624. The pinreceiver body 625 further projects with a longitudinal section into thebristle carrier receiver 643 of the housing head 642.

The pin receiver 626 is designed as a blind hole and has a longitudinalaxis which lies in the control rotation axis S. The pin receiver 626forms a hand-part-side pin receiver opening.

Two through-openings 632 which lie opposite one another are arranged inthe housing wall of the housing neck 622 in the transition from thefirst to the second receiving section 623, 624. These serve forreceiving the latching lugs 131, 731 on the latching tongues 130, 730 onthe securing element 121, 721 (see also FIG. 8d ).

One or more grooves can be arranged around the periphery in the firstreceiving section, and these grooves in the first receiving section liein the direction of the second receiving section, shown in the FIGS. 16gand 16f Two grooves 635 which are axially incorporated in the attachmentbrush housing 621 at the same location or at the same height and eachcover a part of the periphery are preferably formed. In the assembledstate, these interact with prominences 736 which are shaped out in thealternative securing element 721 (see FIGS. 17a to 17g ). Together, theylead to a very stable assembly.

Furthermore, the slot-like through-openings 633, 650 which have alreadybeen described with regard to FIGS. 2a-2g are represented in the housingwall of the attachment brush part 621, in the housing neck 622 as wellas in the housing head 642, and these serve for the passage of water forcleaning the attachment brush part 2.

Furthermore, the withdrawal ribs 634 which have already been describedwith regard to the FIGS. 2a-2g are represented on the outer side of thehousing neck 622.

The housing head 642 forms a beaker-like bristle carrier receiver 643which is open to the front side via a carrier receiver opening 644. Thebristle carrier receiver 643 serves for receiving the already describedfunction unit 64 of the bristle carrier 62.

The carrier receiver opening 644 is delimited by a peripheral face endsurface 645 which has different widths along its circular outerperiphery. The different widths of the face end surface 645 are based ondifferent wall thicknesses in the housing head 642.

A mounting sleeve 647 with a feed-through opening 648 for leadingthrough an already described bearing pin 111 from the rear side of thehousing head 642 is arranged in the bristle carrier receiver 643.

The mounting sleeve 647 forms a peripheral, annulus-shaped stop shoulder651 which is directed to the front side and which encompasses acylinder-shaped end section 652 of the bearing sleeve. The stop shoulder651, with a face end surface of the limitation cam 646 which is directedto the brush head 61 lies in one plane.

The cylinder-shaped end section 652 of the mounting sleeve 647 engagesinto the aforedescribed cylinder receiver 70 on the function unit 64 andwith the face end surface 69 lies on a contact shoulder 68 which islikewise described hereinafter and which surrounds a bearing pinreceiver 65 (see also FIG. 8f ).

A depression 649 for receiving the pin head 115 of the bearing pin 111is provided on the rear side of the housing head.

A limitation cam 646 which is designed trapezoidally in cross sectionand which tapers from its free end (at the upper side) to its base onthe mounting sleeve 647 is arranged in the bristle carrier receiver 643.The limitation cam 646 is arranged on the outer wall of the bearingsleeve 647 and is connected to this. Departing from the mounting sleeve647, the limitation cam 646 is directed towards the outermost head endalong the control rotation axis S. Furthermore, the limitation cam 646is connected to the rear-side housing wall.

A connection rib 627 which connects the mentioned elements to oneanother is arranged between the mounting sleeve 647 and the alreadymentioned pin receiver body 625. The connection rib 627 is moreoverconnected to the rear-side housing wall. The connection rib 627 isshaped as an arrow-like element of an arrow shank 636 and an arrow tip637. This automatically entails a larger (face-)end surface, which isalso a support or a tilt limitation for the brush head.

The pin receiver 626 of the pin receiver body 625, the connection rib627, the feed-through opening 648 of the mounting sleeve 647 and thelimitation cam 646 are arranged in a common plane, in which the controlrotation axis S also lies.

The alternative securing element 721 according to FIGS. 17a-17g isdesigned in a sleeve-like manner and forms a continuous sleeve cavity.The design basically corresponds to FIGS. 5a to 5g , with the exceptionof a certain difference in principle which is explained further below.

The securing element 721 comprises a brush-head-side, first sleevesection 722 for receiving and supporting the hand-part-side end sectionof the drive rod 91, 891.

The first sleeve section 722 comprises an annular cross-sectionalnarrowing in the form of an inner ring. The annular cross-sectionalnarrowing 728 forms an annular stop surface 725 which faces the brushhead 61. The stop surface 725 is orientated perpendicularly to thecontrol rotation axis S. The annular cross-sectional narrowing 728further forms a cylinder-shaped receiving section 729 for receiving thedescribed stop cylinder 101, 801 of the drive rod 91, 891.

The cylinder-shaped receiving section 729 serves for the pre-centring ofthe drive rod 91, 891 via the stop cylinder 101, 801 of the drive rod91, 8981 which engages into this section. The diameter of thecylinder-shaped receiving section 729 is larger than that of the stopcylinder 101, 801 which engages into this.

In this manner, the stop cylinder 101, 801 is led with play in thecylinder-shaped receiving section 729, by which means no friction occursbetween the lateral cylinder surfaces.

The stop surface 725 serves for the mounting of a stop shoulder 102, 802which is peripheral about the stop cylinder 101, 801 and which is on thedrive rod 91, 891 (see FIGS. 8d and 8e ).

Two latching tongues 730 which lie opposite one another and are eachwith an outwardly directed latching lug 731 are arranged in theextension of the sleeve wall of the first sleeve section 722. Thelatching tongues 730 which are directed in the direction of the brushhead 61 are exposed and lie in the extension of the sleeve wall. Thelatching tongues 730, more specifically the latching lugs 731 serve foraxially securing the securing element 721 on the housing neck 22, 622 byway of the mentioned latching lugs 731 engaging into the alreadymentioned through-openings 32, 632 on the housing neck 22, 622 (see FIG.8d ).

Prominences 736 which are arranged axially at the same height on theperiphery of the securing part 721 and which latch into correspondinggrooves 635 on the attachment brush housing 621 are designed as furtherelements for the retention of the securing part 621 in the attachmentbrush housing. These prominences and grooves are latched into oneanother on inserting the parts into one another. These are attached tothe cylinder-shaped receiving section 729 axially roughly above theannular cross-sectional narrowing 728.

Furthermore, the securing element 721 comprises a hand-part-side, secondsleeve section 723 with a nub receiver 727 for receiving the couplingnub 12 of the hand part 10. The second sleeve section 723 thus forms acoupling section.

The securing element 721 consequently also serves for the connection ofthe attachment brush part 2 to the hand part 10. The nub receiver 727has an inner geometry which is adapted to the cross-sectional geometryof the coupling nub 12.

The nub receiver 727 in the region of the nub receiver opening 733comprises a funnel-like widening 732 which serves as an insertion aidfor the coupling nub 12.

The nub receiver 727 further comprises displacement ribs 735 which servefor creating a well-pronounced press fit/seat. The displacement ribs 735run parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the body care brush or to theattachment direction.

The outer surfaces of the sleeve sections 722, 723 are designed in aconical manner and taper towards the brush head 61. The insertability ofthe securing element 721 into the conically designed housing neck 22,622 is ensured by way of this.

A reinforced tapering which is designed in the form of a step or anannularly peripheral cone surface can be formed in the direction of thebrush-side sleeve section, in the transition region from thehand-part-side to the brush-side sleeve section.

The outer surface of the securing element 721 can further comprise ribs734 which extend over both sleeve sections 722, 723. The ribs 734 arealigned essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bodycare brush. The ribs towards the brush-side, first sleeve section 722can merge into the latching tongues 730.

Furthermore, geometries which correspond to the U-shaped slot of thelatching tongue 31, 631 of the attachment brush housing are created onthe rear side of the securing element 721. Two stumps or projections 737are shaped on the hand-part-side end of the securing element 721 andthese bear on the end of the U-shaped slot in the assembled state.Furthermore, these stumps can be provided with a ramp, so that theinsertion of the securing element into the attachment brush housing andtherefore also the moving of the stumps into the U-shaped recess isassisted.

Furthermore, the securing element 721 comprises an annular insertlimitation flange 724 on its hand-part-side end in the region of the nubreceiver opening 733, said flange having already been described furtherabove. As already described, the insert limitation flange 724 ensuresthat the securing element 721 is not completely inserted into thehousing neck 22, 622.

The drive rod 891 according to FIGS. 18a-18g comprises a hand-part-sideend section 894 as well as a brush-head-side end section 895. The designbasically corresponds to the FIGS. 6a to 6g with the exception of acertain difference which is explained further below.

The drive rod 891 forms a control pin receiver 899 for receiving the endsection of the control pin 13, on the hand-part-side end section 894.The drive rod 891 is designed annularly in this section. Thelongitudinal axis of the control pin receiver 899 lies on the controlrotation axis S.

The control pin receiver 899 has a circular-cylinder-shaped basic crosssection. In the brush-head-side end section, the control pin receiver899 has a circle-segment-shaped cross-sectional narrowing 800 withrespect to the circular basic cross section. This ensures a positivereceiving of the control pin 13 in the control pin receiver 899 and thusa rotation lock (see FIGS. 8d and 8e ).

Moreover, the drive rod 891 comprises an annular stop cylinder 801 inthe form of a hollow cylinder, in the hand-part-side end section 894 inthe extension of the control pin receiver 899. The stop cylinder 801 hasa smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the receivingsection of the drive rod 891 which connects thereto and which is withthe control pin receiver 899. Accordingly, a peripheral contact shoulder802 is formed in the transition from the receiving section to the stopcylinder 801.

The function of the stop cylinder 801 and of the associated stopshoulder 802 have already been explained in the context of thedescription of the securing element 121, 721.

For transmitting an oscillating rotation movement which is introducedfrom the control pin 13 into the drive rod 891, from the drive rod 891onto the brush head 61, the drive rod 891 on its brush-head-side endsection comprises a first toothing 892 with two teeth 892.1 for meshinginto a second toothing 66 on the bristle carrier 62 of the brush head 61which is described further below.

The first toothing 892 which is directed to the front side, with thesecond toothing 66 of the bristle carrier 62 forms a drive toothing forthis.

The face end surfaces of the two teeth 892.1 of the first toothing 892,via which the meshing with the teeth 66.1 of the second toothing 66 iseffected, have an inclination with respect to the control rotation axisS.

The drive rod 891 at its brush-head-side end section 895 further forms abearing pin 896 whose longitudinal axis runs in the control rotationaxis S. As already mentioned, in the assembled state the bearing pin 896is rotatably mounted in the pin receiver 26, 626 of the attachment brushhousing 21, 621 (see FIGS. 8d and 8e ).

The drive rod 891 is consequently rotatably mounted and axially as wellas radially secured with its brush-head-side end section 895 on theattachment brush housing 21, 621 via the bearing pin 896 and with itshand-part-side end section 894 on the securing element 121, 171 via thestop cylinder 801 with the stop shoulder 802 (see FIG. 8c as well asFIGS. 8d and 8e ).

The drive rod 891 in a brush-head-side end section 895 now forms across-sectional recess which is delimited to the hand-part-side endsection by a bearing pin shoulder 897. The bearing pin 896 is nowarranged on this bearing pin shoulder 897.

The aforementioned first toothing 892 is arranged on the brush-head-sideend section of a rod continuation 898, said continuation departing fromthe bearing pin shoulder 897 extending in the direction of thebrush-head-side end. The rod continuation 898 runs parallel to thebearing pin 896. A recess is provided between the rod continuation 898and the bearing pin 896.

The bearing pin 896, departing from the bearing pin shoulder 897comprises a cylindrical base section as well as a conically tapering,free end section (see in particular FIGS. 18f and 18g ).

The bearing pin 896 is arranged behind the first toothing 892 consideredfrom the front side.

The drive rod 891 further comprises a curvature (see FIG. 18f ). A firsthand-part-side longitudinal section of the drive rod 891 runs parallelto the control rotation axis S, whilst a second brush-head-sidelongitudinal section is inclined towards the front side with respect tothe control rotation axis S.

A brush-head-side end section 895 however again runs parallel withrespect to the control rotation axis S. This means that the arcuatesection is arranged between the hand-part-side longitudinal section ofthe drive rod 891, comprising the hand-part-side end section 894, andthe brush-head-side end section 895.

The drive rod 891 between a hand-part-side longitudinal section or endsection 894 and a brush-head-part-side end section 895 comprises anecking section 805 which lies therebetween and which has a smallerdiameter than in the hand-part-side and brush-head-part-sidelongitudinal or end section. The drive rod 891 can taper conically fromthe hand-part-side and brush-head-part-side longitudinal section or endsection, towards the necking section 805.

The inclination of the drive rod 891 which is described above inparticular runs in the necking section 805.

FIGS. 19 to 25 each show an attachment brush part 900, 920, 940, 960,980, 1000, 1020 with a brush head 901, 921, 941, 961, 981, 1001, 1021which comprises a bristle carrier 902, 922, 942, 962, 982, 1002, 1022.The circular bristle carrier 902, 922, 942, 962, 982, 1002, 1022 forms abristle field which is composed of several bristle field segments. Thebristle field segments are hereinafter described in more detail by wayof the figures.

The geometric rotation axis of the brush head 901, 921, 941, 961, 981,1001, 1021 (not shown) which corresponds to the carrier rotation axis,leads through the centre of the bristle carrier.

The bristle field segments according to the shown embodiment examplesare formed in particular from care bristles or bristle bundles of carebristles. However, it is also possible for individual ones of the shownbristle field segments, in particular elongate bristle field segments tobe formed from soft material and in particular in a single-part manner.This means that not all segments of a bristle field need necessarilyneed consist of bristles.

A bristle field segment of the shown embodiments in turn does not needto be formed exclusively from care bristles. The bristle field segment,apart from the care bristles, can also comprise other types of careelements, e.g. of a soft material.

The possible design and manufacture of the care bristles has alreadybeen described further above in the general description part.

For reasons of a better overview, not all bristle field segments areprovided with reference numerals in the figures. Basically, at least onebristle field segment of a certain type or a certain shape of bristlefield segment is provided with a reference numeral.

The bristle bundles which can form the bristle field or the bristlefield segment, according to the shown embodiments can be designed in aradiant manner. The mentioned bristle bundles however can also bedesigned cylindrically.

The bristle bundles which in particular are designed radiantly can bepointed.

Round, in particular circular bristle field segments of the shownembodiments are formed in particular from individual or individuallystanding bristle bundles.

The bristle fields of the shown embodiment examples in particular have aprofiling. The profiling of the bristle field can be designed such thatthe centre region of the bristle field lies most deeply in each case.

The brush head 901 according to the embodiment according to FIG. 19 ischaracterised in that the bristle field is fashioned by differentlyshaped bristle field segments in particular of care bristles. Themanufacture of the bristle field or of the bristle field segments iseffected in an anchor-free manufacturing method such as e.g. AFT or PTt.

The preferred construction of the bristle field from the inside to theoutside is such that four mirror-symmetrically arranged bristle fieldsegments 910 which lie opposite one another, are T-shaped in a plan viewand are formed by T-shaped bristle bundles are attached in the inside.This means that the bristle field segments 910 each have a T-shapedcross section or base surface. Herein, the T-shaped bristle fieldsegments 901 are directed with their trunk towards one another.

In the present embodiment example, the T-shaped bristle field segments910 are distanced to one another via intermediate spaces. The T-shapedbristle field segments 910 or bristle bundles however can alternativelyalso be connected into one or two bristle bundles i.e. abut one anotherwithout intermediate spaces. The T-shaped bristle field segments 910 orbristle bundles can therefore be connected to a distal trunk end of anadjacent T-shaped bristle field segment 910 via their distal trunk endor to the distal limb end of an adjacent T-shaped bristle field segment910 via one or both of their distal limb ends, i.e. abut one anotherwithout an intermediate space.

The four T-shaped bristle field segments 910 or their trunks are eacharranged at an angle of 90° to one another about the centre of thebristle carrier 902.

The bristle field is aligned along the longitudinal axis L of theattachment brush 900 such that the T-shaped bristle field segments 910or their trunks are not in line with the longitudinal axis L in theneutral position of the bristle head 91 but are arranged in an X-likemanner at an angle of 45° to this.

The bristle field further comprises four bristle field segments 916which are each formed from a bristle bundle. The bristle field segments916 to the outside form a semi-oval and towards the centre astraight-lined outer contour. The bristle field segments 916 arearranged with the trunk of the adjacent T-shaped bristle field segments910 in one line. These bristle field segments 916 are each arrangedoffset to one another by 90° (angle degrees).

An elongate arched bristle field segment 912 which partly encompasses orsurrounds a point-like bristle field segment 913, considered in thelongitudinal axis direction L is arranged before and after the structurewith the T-shaped bristle field segments 900. The bending of the archedbristle field segments 912 points towards the centre. The point-likebristle field segments 913 are arranged at the front and at the rear endof the brush head 901 and of the bristle field respectively.

A pairing of two elongate, arched bristle field segments 914, 915 whichare arranged in parallel are formed to the left and right in the planview.

These can have the shape of a circular arc section. The bending of thearched bristle field segments 914, 915 points outwards.

The semi-oval-shaped bristle field segments 916 are each arrangedbetween a pairing of arched bristle field segments 914, 915 and anarched bristle field segment 912.

The bristle field is constructed in each case in a mirror-symmetricalmanner via two symmetry axes which lead through the centre. The firstsymmetry axis is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of theattachment brush part 900 and the second symmetry axis is arrangedperpendicularly to this.

The bristle section, i.e. the bristle lengths are designed in particularsuch that the central bristle field segments are set somewhat deeperthan the outer bristle field segments. I.e. the bristle length of theinner-lying bristle field segments is shorter that the bristle length ofthe outer-lying bristle field segments.

The bristle bundles of the T-shaped bristle field segments 910 can becylindrical or be formed from cylindrical bristles. The four bristlebundles of the semi-oval-shaped bristle field segments 916 can comprisepointed bristle bundles. These can project beyond the bristle field as awhole, so that a better interdental penetration is possible.

The further bristle field segments can be shaped from cylindricalbristles, wherein with regard to the concentrically arranged archedbristle field segments 914, 915 which lie to the left and the rightthere is also the possibility of the use of pointed bristles. As awhole, there is likewise the possibility of manufacturing all bristlebundles or bristle field segments with cylindrical bristles.

The T-shaped bristle field segments 910 can also be integrated in thebristle field with another configuration of bristle field segments.However, they are preferably brought into the centre region and withregard to the height profile are preferably maximally equal in height orslightly higher than the bristle bundles or bristle field segments whichare arranged around these.

In the bristle head 921 according to FIG. 20, T-shaped bristle fieldsegments 930 are arranged in the centre region analogously to thepreceding embodiment example according to FIG. 19. The descriptionconcerning FIG. 19 is therefore referred to with regard to the designand arrangement of the T-shaped bristle field segments 930.

A difference to FIG. 19 lies in the fact that the T-shaped bristle fieldsegments 930 are designed smaller. Here too however, the T-shapedbristle field segments 930 are distanced to one another via intermediatespaces. Analogously to the embodiment example according to FIG. 19, theT-shaped bristle field segments 930 can alternatively also be connectedinto one or two bristle field segments or bristle bundles, i.e. abut oneanother without intermediate spaces, as already explained in more detailin the description concerning FIG. 19. Here too, the T-shaped bristlefield segments 930 are also directed towards one another with theirtrunk.

The structure of the bristle field continues in four dash-shaped bristlefield segments 931 which at the centre side connect onto theintermediate space between two limbs of two T-shaped bristle fieldsegments 930 and extends radially outwards from the centre. Thedash-shaped bristle field segments 931 are arranged at a 90° angle toone another and form a cross-like arrangement. Two dash-shaped bristlefield segments 931 lie on the longitudinal axis L of the attachmentbrush part 920. Two dash-shaped bristle field segments 931 areaccordingly arranged at an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis L.

In each case, an inner-lying circular-arc-shaped bristle field segment932 is arranged between the dash-shaped bristle field segments 931.

Furthermore, in each case three outer-lying circular bristle fieldsegments 933 are arranged in a circular-arc-shaped manner between thedash-shaped bristle field segments 931. The circular bristle fieldsegments 933 in particular consist of individual bristle bundles.

The circular bristle field segments 933 form an outer-lying ring orcircle which is merely interrupted by the dash-shaped bristle fieldsegments 931.

The inner-lying circular-arc-shaped bristle field segments 932 areaccordingly each arranged between the T-shaped bristle field segment 930or its limbs and the ring or circle of circular bristle field segments933.

The bristle bundles which form the bristle field and the bristle fieldsegments can be cylindrical. The profiling of the bristle field or thelength of the bristles or bristle bundles in particular is designed suchthe centre region of the bristle field lies most deeply. The dash-shapedbristle field segments 931 can also be designed from pointed bristlebundles and with regard to height can protrude somewhat, so that thecleaning performance is again improved.

FIGS. 21a and 21b show a bristle field, concerning which a spiral-shapedbristle field segment 950 is formed in the centre region. At the outerside, a ring of circular bristle field segments 951 surrounds thespiral-shaped bristle field segment 950. The circular bristle fieldsegments 951 are designed from individually standing bristle bundles.

The spiral-shaped bristle field segment 950, considered from the inside(centre) to the outside, can have an increasing height (centre is thehighest point) or a reducing height (centre is the deepest point) alongthe spiral course.

The individually standing bristle bundles of the outer-lying bristlefield segments 951 can be lower than the outer end of the spirals orhigher than these. The individually standing bristle bundles of theouter-lying bristle field segments 951 preferably have a height whichlies between the height of the inner-lying start and the outer-lying endof the spiral-shaped bristle field segment 950. The spiral-shapedbristle field segment 950 can change in cross section over the length,e.g. the spiral-shaped bristle bundle or bristle field segment 950 canincrease or reduce in width from the inside to the outside. Thespiral-shaped bristle field segment 950 comprises two windings in thepresent embodiment example

The spiral-shaped bristle field segment 950 can of course also berealised with other shapes of bristle field segments which are arrangedabout the spiral-shaped bristle field segment 950.

The spiral-shaped bristle field segment 950 can be designed fromcylindrical or pointed bristles or of a combination of cylindrical andpointed bristles. The bristle types can therefore be arranged in analternating manner in sections over the course of the spiral.

A special variant envisages the innermost end or the innermost endsection of the spiral —which preferably stands the tallest—beingoccupied by pointed bristles. This can be effected in a pointwise manneror can relate to an elongate end section of the spiral-shaped bristlefield segment 950 which is occupied by pointed bristles.

According to the embodiment example according to FIGS. 22a and 22b , thebristle field comprises a central, circular bristle field segment 970which is designed in a comparatively large manner and has a diameterwhich is roughly a quarter of the diameter of the bristle carrier 962.

The central bristle field segment 970 is surrounded by triangularbristle field segments 971, 972, hereinafter also simply called“triangles”. In the present embodiment example, the triangles areequilateral. The triangles can also be designed as isosceles triangles.

The central bristle field segment 970 is therefore surrounded by a firstring of triangular bristle field segments 971, concerning which a tip ofthe triangle is directed outwards away from the centre. In this manner,the central bristle field segment 970 together with the first ring oftriangular bristle field segments 970 essentially forms a sun-likebristle field structure.

Furthermore, the bristle field comprises a further, second ring oftriangular bristle field segments 972 which surrounds the first ring oftriangular bristle field segment 970 and lies at the outside. The tworings, also called circles, of triangular bristle field segments 971,972 are arranged concentrically. The triangular bristle field segments972 of the second ring are arranged such that in each case a tip of thetriangle points inwards to the centre.

The triangles 971, 972 of the inner and outer ring are each arrangedoffset to one another in a manner such that the outwardly pointing tipof the triangles 971 of the inner-lying ring is directed in each casebetween two triangles 972 of the outer-lying ring and the inwardlypointing tip of the triangles of the outer-lying ring 972 is directed ineach case between two triangles 971 of the inner-lying ring.Furthermore, the triangles 971, 972 of the two rings which are arrangedoffset to one another engage into one another such that the mentionedtips of the triangles are each arranged between two triangles of theother ring.

The two rings each have equal as many triangular bristle field segments971, 972. In each case, 6, 8 or 10 triangular bristle field segments971, 972 can be arranged on the two rings.

The bristle lengths of the individual bristle field segments increasesfrom the inside to the outside so that a profiling of the bristle fieldis present. According to the present embodiment example, the centralbristle field segment 970 has a first height, the triangular bristlefield segments 971 of the first ring which connects thereto a secondheight and the triangular bristle field segments 972 of the outermost,second ring a third height. The third height is greater than the secondheight and the second height is greater than the first height.

The central bristle field segment 970 can also be integrated with otherconfigurations of bristle field segments around it into a bristle field.

The central bristle field segment 970 can be designed of cylindrical orpointed or a combination of cylindrical and pointed bristles.

The triangular bristle field segments 971, 972 can likewise be shaped ofcylindrical or pointed bristles or a combination of these. It is alsopossible to design the inner, first ring of cylindrical bristles and theouter, second ring of pointed bristles. Furthermore, it is also possiblefor bristle bundles of cylindrical bristles and bristle bundles ofpointed bristles to alternate with regard to the triangular bristlefield segments 971, 972. This can be the case with only one of the ringsor both rings. If the bristle bundles alternate on both rings, then thebristle bundles of the same type form a spiral-shaped arrangement.

The bristle field according to FIGS. 23a and 23b likewise comprises acentral, circular bristle field segment 990 which is formed by a bristlebundle. Four radially outwardly directed dash-shaped or elongate bristlefield segments 991 are arranged departing from the central bristle fieldsegment 990.

A first pairing of dash-shaped bristle field segments 991 is arranged inthe longitudinal axis L of the attachment brush part 980, a secondpairing of dash-shaped bristle field segments 991 is arranged at anangle of 90° to the longitudinal axis L of the attachment brush part980. The dash-shaped bristle field segments 991 form a cross-likearrangement in this manner.

Two dash-shaped bristle field segments 991 each enclose a bristle fieldsector. Further, circularly designed bristle field segments 992 arearranged in this bristle field sector. These are each formed by abristle bundle.

Four circular bristle field segments 992 in a triangular shape with atip pointing to the centre are each arranged in a bristle field sector.

The dash-shaped bristle field segments 991 in cross section are wider tothe outside. However, it is also conceivable for the cross section tothe outside to remain constant. Furthermore, it is possible for thecross section to taper to the outside.

The dash-shaped bristle field segments 991 can project beyond the otherbristle field segments 990, 992.

The bristle field can be profiled in a manner such that the carebristles or bristle bundles are at their deepest in the centre regionand at their highest at the outside. The height of the care bristles orbrittle bundles can continuously increase outwards departing from thecentre.

The bristle bundles can be designed of pointed or cylindrical bristles.For example, the care bristles of the dash-shaped bristle field segmentscan be pointed and the care bristles of the other bristle field segmentscan be cylindrical.

The bristle field which is shown in FIGS. 24a and 24b is composed of aplurality of circular bristle field segments 1010, 1011, 1012 with adifferent diameter which are each formed from one bristle bundle

The bristle field comprises a central, i.e. centrically arrangedcircular bristle field segment 1010 which is formed by a bristle bundle.

Three rings or circles of circularly round bristle field segments 1011,1012, 1013 which are likewise each formed by a bristle bundle arearranged concentrically about the central bristle field segment 1010.The bristle field segments 1011, 1012, 1013 of these rings havedifferent diameters.

The bristle field segments 1011 of a first inner-lying ring or circlethus have a first diameter, the bristle field segments 1012 of a secondmiddle ring or circle a second diameter and the bristle field segments1013 of a third, outer-lying ring or circle a third diameter. The firstdiameter of is smaller than the second and third diameter. The seconddiameter is larger than the first diameter and smaller than the thirddiameter. The third diameter is larger than the first and seconddiameter. The diameter of the central bristle field segment 1010 islarger than the first and second diameter and roughly the same size asthe third diameter.

A modification, according to which the care bristles or bristle bundlesof the bristle field segment have different characteristics, is shown inFIG. 24c . In FIG. 24c , the bristle field segments 1010-103 which arerepresented by empty circles have a first characteristic and the bristlefield segments 1011′-1013′ which are represented by black circles havesecond characteristics. The characteristic can be the design of thebristles or bristle bundles, such as e.g. the colour, thecross-sectional size, the cross-sectional shape, the design of the freebristle end (pointed, round, flat, stepped, etc.), the bristle length orheight of the bristle or bristle ends, etc.

The bristle field segments can be designed such that bristle fieldsegments 1011′-1013′ with care bristles or bristle bundles with the samecharacteristics form spiral-shaped structures, as is shown by way ofexample in FIG. 24 c.

The individual spirals consist of bristle field segments 1011′-1013′with a different size but with the same bristle characteristics. Theyare arranged in particular in a point-symmetrical manner with respect tothe centre.

The spiral structure forms in a clockwise or anti-clockwise manner andis formed by consecutive bristle field segments 1011′-1013′ of largebristle bundles to smaller bristle bundles. As mentioned, the individualspiral structures can be characterised for example by an equal bristletype.

The embodiment which is shown in FIG. 25 comprises a bristle field witha plurality of circularly round bristle field segments 1030, 1031, 1032,1033 of a differently large diameter. The bristle field segments 1030,1031, 1032, 1033 are formed by respective bristle bundles.

In the present embodiment example, the bristle field comprises fourtypes of bristle field segments 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033 which each have adifferent diameter. The bristle field now comprises several bristlefield segments 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033 per bristle field segment type.The bristle field segments 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033 are arrangeddistributed uniformly over the bristle field, wherein the spatialarrangement in the bristle field is however random and follows no givenpattern.

The diameter of the bristle field segments 1031 with the largestdiameter measures a multiple of the diameter of the bristle fieldsegments 1033 with the smallest diameter. The bristle field segments1033 with the smallest diameter herein in particular fill the gapsbetween the bristle field segments with the largest diameter 1031.

For all shown brush heads, it is the case that the bristle bundles orthe individual bristles or care bristles can be manufactured fromcylindrical or pointed bristles.

Individual care elements of a bristle field, as already mentioned, canalso be formed from a soft component. These can be manufactured directlywith the carrier and for example directly replace a respective bristlehole or be arranged therebetween.

The heights of the different bristle bundles can be different. Theheights of the different bristle bundles can also be uniform, so thatall bristle ends lie in the same plane, in particular parallel to bebase surface.

Bristle fields with the designs which have been mentioned above,depending on the height profile, in combination with the linear movementof the bristle carrier can entail improved cleaning results. Individualbristle bundles which stand taller do not have the same stability asseveral bristle bundles of the same height which are arranged next toone another. Accordingly these can be deflected by the linear travel andthus be pressed against the surface to be cleaned, to a greater extent.In the manner, an improved interdental penetration can be achieved. Thiseffected can also be achieved with structures which form parts of abristle bundle which stand taller.

1. An attachment brush part for an electrical body care brush,comprising a brush head with a bristle carrier, on which a bristle fieldwith a plurality of bristle bundles each with a plurality of carebristles is arranged, wherein the bristle bundles are divided into threegroups and in a neutral position of the bristle carrier an upper firstand lower second group of bristle bundles each form an arc section and amiddle third group of bristle bundles at least one straight-lined row.2. An attachment brush part according to claim 1, wherein the bristlefield is profiled and the middle group of bristle bundles has a lowerheight compared to the first and second group of bristle bundles.
 3. Anattachment brush part according to claim 1, wherein the middle groupconsists of several straight-lined parallel rows of bristle bundles. 4.An attachment brush part according to claim 3, wherein the middle groupforms a rectangular arrangement of the bristle bundles.
 5. An attachmentbrush part according to claim 2, wherein the first and second group ofbristle bundles have a height difference of 1 mm or more with respect tothe middle group of bristle bundles.
 6. An attachment brush partaccording to claim 1, wherein the upper and the lower group each formsat least one row of bristle bundles which is arranged in an archedmanner.
 7. An attachment brush part according to claim 6, wherein theupper and lower group of bristle bundles each form several parallel,arched, arched rows of bristle bundles.
 8. An attachment brush partaccording to claim 1, wherein the bristle bundles are round.
 9. Anattachment brush part according to claim 1, wherein the bristle carrieris round, and the upper and lower group of bristle bundles which arearranged in an arched manner are each arranged parallel to the circleline of the bristle carrier.
 10. An attachment brush part for anelectrical body care brush, comprising a brush head with a bristlecarrier, on which a bristle field with a plurality of bristle bundleseach with a plurality of care bristles is arranged wherein the bristlefield comprises at least one bristle bundle, with an inclination.
 11. Anattachment brush part according to claim 10, wherein the at least onebristle bundle is inclined in the peripheral direction of the bristlecarrier.
 12. An attachment brush part according to claim 10, wherein thebristle field comprises a ring or circle of bristle bundles which areinclined in the peripheral direction of the bristle carrier.
 13. Anattachment brush part according to claim 10, wherein the bristle fieldcomprises an outer-lying first ring or circle of bristle bundles and aninner-lying, second ring or circle of bristle bundles which are inclinedin the peripheral direction of the bristle carrier.
 14. An attachmentbrush part according to claim 13, wherein the bristle bundles of the onering or circle are inclined along the peripheral direction in theclockwise direction and the bristle bundles of the other ring or circleare inclined along the peripheral direction in the anti-clockwisedirection.
 15. An attachment brush part according to claim 10, whereinthe bristle field in the centre region comprises at least one bristlebundle which is arranged parallel to the carrier rotation axis.
 16. Anattachment brush part according to claim 10, wherein a step is formed inthe free bristle end of at least one bristle bundle.
 17. An attachmentbrush part for an electrical body care brush, comprising a brush headwith a bristle carrier, on which a bristle field is arranged wherein thebristle field comprises a plurality of bristle field segments which eachcomprise a bristle bundle with care bristles.
 18. An attachment brushpart according to claim 17, wherein at least one bristle field segmenthas a basic shape which is listed hereinafter: T-shaped; triangular:arched; spiral shaped; dash-shaped; circular.
 19. An attachment brushpart according to claim 17, wherein the bristle field comprises acentral bristle field segment which can comprise one of the followingshapes: round, such as circular; spiral shaped.
 20. An attachment brushpart according to claim 17, wherein the bristle field comprises severalbristle field segments which extend radiantly outwards from the centreof the bristle field.
 21. An attachment brush part according to claim17, wherein the bristle field comprises one or more ring-like orcircular arrangements of bristle field segments which are arranged abouta central bristle field segment.
 22. An attachment brush part accordingto claim 17, wherein the bristle field comprises several T-shapedbristle field segments each with a trunk which points to the centre,which are arranged circularly about the centre.
 23. An attachment brushpart according to claim 17, wherein the bristle field comprises at leastone arched bristle field segment, wherein the concave opening of the atleast one arched bristle field segment is directed outwards or inwardsto the centre.
 24. An attachment brush part for an electrical body carebrush, wherein the attachment brush part is designed of several partsand comprises: an attachment brush housing; a drive rod for driving abrush head, with a brush-head-side end section, on which a firsttoothing is arranged, and with a hand-part-side end section; a brushhead with a bristle carrier and with care bristles which are arranged onthis, wherein the bristle carrier comprises a second toothing, as wellas a securing element for the rotatable mounting of the hand-part-sideend section of the drive rod, and the first and the second toothing forma drive toothing for the driving of the brush head by the drive rod. 25.An attachment brush part according to claim 24, wherein the drive rod atits brush-head-side end section comprises a bearing pin, through whichthe control rotation axis runs and the bearing pin is rotatably mountedin a pin receiver on the attachment brush housing.
 26. An attachmentbrush part according to claim 25, wherein the pin receiver is arrangedin the transition region between a housing neck which receives the driverod and a housing head which receives the brush head or parts thereof.27. An attachment brush part according to claim 24, wherein the bristlecarrier comprises a carrier body, on whose front side care bristles arearranged, as well as comprises a function unit which is arranged on arear side of the carrier body, and the function unit comprises thesecond toothing, a bearing pin receiver for receiving the anchoringsection of a bearing pin, as well as lateral stops for a limitation camon the housing head of the attachment brush housing.
 28. An attachmentbrush part according to claim 24, wherein the attachment brush housingin the brush-head-side end section comprises a housing head with abristle carrier receiver and with a carrier receiver opening which isarranged on the front side as well as with a feed-through opening whichleads from the rear side into the bristle carrier receiver, forreceiving a bearing pin from the rear side of the housing head.
 29. Anattachment brush part according to claim 24, wherein the securingelement forms a hand-part-side sleeve section with a nub receiver forreceiving the coupling nub of the hand part.
 30. An attachment brushpart according to claim 24, wherein the first and the second toothingeach comprise 2 to 4 and 2 first and second teeth respectively.
 31. Anattachment brush part according to claim 24, wherein a limitation camwhich interacts with lateral stops on the brush head in a manner suchthat the rotation angle of the bristle carrier is limited, is arrangedin the bristle carrier receiver of the housing head.
 32. An attachmentbrush part according to claim 24, wherein the drive rod consists ofpolyimide or comprises this.
 33. An attachment brush part according toclaim 32, wherein the drive rod comprises fibres for reinforcement. 34.An attachment brush part according to claim 24, wherein the attachmentbrush part consists of polybutylene terephthalate or comprises this. 35.An attachment brush part according to claim 1, wherein the bristlecarrier consists of polyoxymethylene or comprises this.
 36. Anattachment brush part according to claim 1, wherein the bearing pinconsists of metal.
 37. An electrical body care brush, with a hand partand with a multi-part attachment brush part according to claim
 24. 38.An electrical body care brush according to claim 37, wherein this isequipped with a device for determining a pressing pressure.
 39. Anelectrical body care brush according to claim 38, wherein the pressingpressure is determined from the electricity consumption of theelectrical toothbrush.
 40. A method for manufacturing an attachmentbrush part according to claim 24, wherein the attachment brush housing,the drive rod, the securing element and the bristle carrier are eachinjected by way of an injection moulding method, and care bristles areattached onto the bristle carrier by way of an integrated or separatemethod step, and the components are brought together into the attachmentbrush part by way of a subsequent assembly step.
 41. A method formanufacturing an attachment brush part according to claim 40, whereinthe components are brought together into the attachment brush part on anassembly mandrel.
 42. A method for manufacturing a brush head for anattachment brush part according to claim 24, wherein the care bristlesare attached to the carrier body by way of an anchor punching method oran anchor-free method.